TOKYO: Urawa Reds demonstrated a steely resolve behind their J-League title challenge by coming from behind to beat Kashima Antlers 2-1 on Saturday and preserve their unbeaten record.
The first division leaders, who stumbled in last season's run-in when they were pipped by treble winners Gamba Osaka, hit back from a Ryota Moriwaki own goal through Yuki Muto and a late Takahiro Sekine winner in Saitama.
Urawa, Japan's best-supported club, improved to 30 points from 12 games, four points clear of Sanfrecce Hiroshima with a game in hand.
Gamba, who had the day off after a successful visit to Seoul in the Asian Champions League in midweek, have 23 points from 11 games and currently occupy third.
Hiroshima, back-to-back champions in 2012 and 2013, thrashed northern side Albirex Niigata 4-2 at home helped by a Tsukasa Shiotani double.
Yokohama F-Marinos beat promoted Matsumoto Yamaga 3-0, lifting the Manchester City-backed team onto 23 points, behind Gamba on goal difference.
FC Tokyo, set to lose Japan striker and Chelsea target Yoshinori Muto to German club Mainz, failed to make ground on the leaders after crashing to a 1-0 home defeat by Nagoya Grampus, leaving them on 23 points as well.
Shonan Bellmare, who also came up from the second division, were the day's biggest winners, thumping struggling Shimizu S-Pulse 4-0 to maintain a position of mid-table comfort.
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