Yokohama F. Marinos blew their chance to clinch the J. League title a week early after a 2-0 defeat to Albirex Niigata on Saturday, letting Sanfrecce Hiroshima back into contention heading into the final day of the season.
League-leaders Marinos went into the game at Nissan Stadium knowing that their four-point cushion at the top meant a win would be enough to claim their first title since 2004, but second-half goals from Albirex's Kengo Kawamata and Musashi Suzuki put the celebrations on ice in front of a crowd of 62,632.
Sanfrecce beat relegated Shonan Bellmare 1-0 to cut the gap to two points heading into next Saturday's fixtures, with Kashima Antlers still clinging to faint hopes three points behind Marinos after a 2-1 win over Cerezo Osaka. Cerezo were eliminated from title contention, as were Urawa Reds, who lost 4-1 to Sagan Tosu.
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