J League update

The Urawa Reds must be thankful there are only two more rounds left to play in the season, says The Asahi, and here in Saitama we are all getting seriously worried about the main rival from Ibaraki prefecture, Kashima Antlers:

An understrength and overworked Reds limped to their third straight league draw on Sunday and saw their lead at the top of the table reduced to four points by the Kashima Antlers, 1-0 winners against Kashiwa Reysol the same day.

Kashima leapfrogged into second over Gamba Osaka, who were held to a 1-1 draw by F.C. Tokyo to remain five points adrift of the defending champions.

A goalless draw against Shimizu S-Pulse at Saitama Stadium was as good an indication as any that the Reds are physically and mentally exhausted after a taxing season.