Junior Dutra scored a hat-trick for the Antlers as Sanfrecce had their lead over Vegalta Sendai cut to three points after a goalless draw with Yokohama F. Marinos.

Vegalta Sendai defeated lowly Gamba Osaka 2-1 despite a late goal from Paulinho for the visitors.

Urawa Reds missed their chance to close within three points of Sanfrecce after a 2-1 loss to Consadole Sapporo.

Hiroyuki Furuta scored a brace for Consadole Sapporo before Tsukasa Umesaki pulled a goal back for Urawa.

Taisuke Muramatsu scored the only goal in Shimizu S-Pulse's 1-0 win over Jubilo Iwata.

Kashiwa Reysol arrested a run of two consecutive losses with a 1-0 win over Kawasaki Frontale and Cerezo Osaka steered further clear of the relegation zone with a 3-2 victory over Sagan Tosu, their third straight win.

Albirex Niigata and Vissel Kobe played out a 0-0 draw and neither Nagoya Grampus nor Omiya Ardija could break through in their clash.