Kawasaki Frontale surrendered the top spot in the J. League to Kashima Antlers after being held to a surprise 2-2 draw away to rock-bottom Avispa Fukuoka in the penultimate round of first-stage matches on Saturday.
Fukuoka raced into a 2-0 lead thanks to a double from Takeshi Kanamori. Goals from Yu Kobayashi and Yoshito Okubo (penalty) pulled Kawasaki level, but the visitors could not find a winner and dropped to second after Kashima came from behind to win 2-1 at Vissel Kobe.
Kashima has 36 points, two ahead of Frontale and, with a home meeting with Fukuoka next weekend, will be favored to win the first stage. Kawasaki entertains Omiya Ardija.