World Cup midfielder Toshihiro Aoyama completed a smash-and-grab raid as Sanfrecce Hiroshima beat Urawa Reds 2-1 away on Sunday, condemning the first-stage title winners to their first defeat of the season in the process.
Takahiro Sekine fired Reds in front on 35 minutes after Toshiyuki Takagi had missed, but Takuma Asano came off the bench to drill in the equalizer before Aoyama sealed victory six minutes from time.
Two-time J-League champion Hiroshima improved to a maximum nine points from three games at the top of the second-stage standings. Reds fell two games short of matching the league record streak of 21 unbeaten games, set by Omiya Ardija two years ago.