YOKOHAMA -- The chase for the J. League title will go down to the final day of the season after Cerezo Osaka moved to the top of the table on Saturday with a 1-1 draw against Yokohama F. Marinos as Gamba Osaka dropped to second after going down 2-1 at home to JEF United.
With one game to play, five teams still stand a chance of clinching the title. Cerezo has 58 points from 33 matches. Gamba is in second, one point behind, with Urawa Reds, Kashima Antlers and JEF United Chiba tied on 56 points.
At the other end of the table, two-time J. League champion Tokyo Verdy was relegated to the J. League second division for the first time as fellow struggler Kashiwa Reysol thrashed the once-mighty side 5-1.