On the face of it, a league table where just 10 points separated the top 13 teams at the halfway point of the season would suggest an exciting contest, but this year's J. League has been more infuriating than it has been enthralling.

Going into the weekend's games, Urawa Reds held a one-point advantage over closest challengers Kashima Antlers, with the rest of the field snapping at their heels and threatening to overtake them at any time.

But the fact that Reds had garnered just 32 points from their 17 games, including two draws and five defeats, deflates the notion that the situation is one of healthy competition.