Kashima Antlers crashed to a 3-2 defeat away to FC Tokyo as the race for the J. League title took a fresh twist on Sunday.
Victory in the capital would have taken Oswaldo Oliveira's side four points clear at the top of the table with four games left after closest rival Nagoya Grampus drew and Oita Trinita lost on Saturday.
But goals from Brazilian striker Cabore, Yuto Nagatomo and substitute Yohei Otake saw Tokyo avenge its 4-1 defeat at Kashima earlier in the season and gave renewed hope to Kawasaki Frontale and Urawa Reds, which both closed the gap on Kashima with crucial wins.