KASHIMA, Ibaraki Pref. — Defending champions Kashima Antlers reined in Nagoya Grampus' march toward the J. League title and revived their own championship ambitions with a gritty 1-0 win over the league leaders on Sunday.
Grampus began the day with a 10-point advantage at the top of the table, knowing that a win or a draw at Kashima Stadium would give them the chance to wrap up a first-ever championship the following week at home to struggling Omiya Ardija.
But a 59th-minute goal from Marquinhos put Nagoya's celebrations on ice, catapulting Antlers back into contention eight points off the pace with five games remaining and giving manager Oswaldo Oliveira renewed hope of an unlikely triumph.