KASHIMA, Ibaraki Pref. – Kashima Antlers tripped up again in the J. League first-division title race Saturday as the three-time defending champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Shimizu S-Pulse, leaving them nine points off the pace of Nagoya Grampus with nine games to go.
As Nagoya came from behind to beat Vegalta Sendai 2-1 at home for its fifth in six games, Oswaldo Oliveira’s side allowed Shimizu to grab the early lead through Shinji Ono’s first strike in an S-Pulse shirt — one of the league’s best goals this season.
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