A rare goal from former Japan international Koji Nakata gave high-flying Kashima Antlers a precious 1-0 win away to Asian club champion Gamba Osaka in the J. League first division on Sunday.
Making his first start since last September, Nakata bundled in after 17 minutes and the reigning champions withstood sustained Gamba pressure in the second half to head into the monthlong international break with a four-point cushion at the top of the table.
Kashima has 29 points and a game in hand on second-placed Urawa Reds, who were held to a surprise 1-1 draw by Omiya Ardija in the Saitama derby, Hajime Hosogai canceling out Park Won Jae's ninth-minute opener for Ardija.