Omiya Ardija succumbed to an injury-time 3-2 defeat at home to Kawasaki Frontale and surrendered top spot to champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the J. League on Wednesday night.
Renato scored from the penalty spot to snatch all three points for Kawasaki in the fifth minute of stoppage time and Hiroshima beat Vegalta Sendai 2-0 away thanks to first-half goals from Naoki Ishihara and Hisato Sato.
At the halfway stage of the season, Hiroshima has 36 points from 17 games and leads Omiya on goal difference. Yuzo Kurihara headed a late winner as Yokohama F. Marinos (34) moved into third after a 3-2 win at Urawa Reds. Reds are fourth on 31.