Rafael grabbed a superb brace and goalkeeper Takashi Kitano saved a second-half penalty as relegation-threatened Omiya Ardija denied Kashiwa Reysol the chance to return to the top of the table with a surprise 3-1 win away in the J. League on Sunday.

Gamba Osaka's shock defeat at home to Ventforet Kofu on Saturday provided Reysol with the perfect opportunity to move back into pole position by beating an Omiya side that started the day just two points above the drop zone.

But Rafael was the architect behind their downfall, grabbing a goal in each half before Takuya Aoki completed the scoring to boost Omiya's chances of survival and give the visitors their first league win over Kashiwa since October 2005.