Sanfrecce Hiroshima missed the chance to cut table-topping Kashima Antlers' lead to six points after being held to a 1-1 draw away to lowly Kashiwa Reysol as J. League first-division action resumed after a seven-week break on Saturday.
Kawasaki Frontale Forward Juninho (center) battles Jubilo Iwata midfielder Hiroshi Nanami (left) and defender Hideto Suzuki for the ball during the first half of their J. League first-division match on Saturday at Yamaha Stadium. Frontale won 2-1.
Hisato Sato's superb 43rd-minute opener for Hiroshima was canceled out by Japan striker Keiji Tamada, who ended a drought with his first goal of the season, while Gamba Osaka moved into second after demolishing Tokyo Verdy 7-1.
Brazilian Araujo put Gamba in front on the stroke of halftime with the first of a hat trick at Expo Stadium and in-form Japan striker Masashi Oguro scored the first and last of six goals in 33 minutes in the second period as the home side ran riot.