SHIMIZU S-Pulse's title hopes were dealt a blow as they lost 3-0 to J.League strugglers Omiya Aridja in Saitama today.
Rafael opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time before Mato Neretljak and Lee Chun-soo struck in the second half to seal the win for Omiya, who climb out of the bottom three as a result of the victory.
Shimizu, meanwhile, are five points adrift of leaders Nagoya Grampus, who travel to Montedio Yamagata tomorrow.
Elsewhere, second-placed Cerezo Osaka were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Hiroshi Kiyotake opened the scoring for Cerezo in the 57th minute but Tomoaki Makino equalised seven minutes later.
Kashima Antlers edged Vegalta Sendai 1-0 with Koji Nakata scoring the game's only goal five minutes before half-time.
The win moves Kashima up to third in the standings.
Gamba Osaka defeated Albirex Niigata 2-1, Kyoto Sanga eased to a 3-0 win over Vissel Kobe, Yokohama F Marinos beat Kawasaki Frontale 3-1 and Jubilo Iwata secured a 3-2 win over Shonan Bellmare.
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