KASHIWA, Chiba Pref. — A late two-goal salvo from Minoru Suganuma and Popo put a huge dent in Nagoya Grampus' J. League championship aspirations as Kashiwa Reysol came from behind to beat Dragan Stojkovic's title-chasing side 2-1 on Saturday.
Grampus, which began the day just one point behind league-leader Kashima Antlers, looked comfortable after Yoshizumi Ogawa had scored a well-worked first-half opener. But Suganuma's 80th-minute equalizer shattered Nagoya's rhythm and allowed substitute Popo to grab the winner two minutes later, consigning Grampus to a sixth league game without a win at a time when the championship is there for the taking.
Kawasaki Frontale, which began the day one point behind Grampus in third, also blew a golden chance with a 2-1 loss at Omiya Ardija, while FC Tokyo and Urawa Reds threw their names firmly into the title mix with away wins at Gamba Osaka and Consadole Sapporo, respectively. Urawa drew level on points with Antlers, while Tokyo moved alongside Frontale and Oita Trinita in the chasing pack on 51 points.