KASHIMA, Japan (AP) -Kashima Antlers thrashed title rival Gamba Osaka 5-1 on the weekend to move within one win of a third straight J-League championship.
Shinzo Koroki scored twice as Kashima dominated 10-man Gamba to open a two-point lead atop the standings heading into the final round.
Takuya Nozawa and substitutes Yuzo Tashiro and Danilo also also scored for Kashima which is bidding for an unprecedented third consecutive title.
Second-placed Kawasaki Frontale ensured the race for the title will come down to the final week with a 1-0 win over Albirex Niigata, thanks to a 71st-minute goal from North Korean striker Chong Tese.
In the final round next weekend, Kashima is away at sixth-placed Urawa Red Diamonds, while Kawasaki visits already relegated Kashiwa Reysol. Second-placed Kawasaki has a three-goal better goal difference.
Gamba needed a win at Kashima to stay alive in the title race, but despite the defeat, it secured third place and a spot in next year's Asian Champions League after Urawa Reds lost at Kyoto Sanga.
Elsewhere, Kashiwa failed in its bid to avoid relegation. Needing a win at Omiya Ardija, it fell behind to Hayato Hashimoto's goal with 13 minutes remaining. Brazilian striker Franca equalized, but Kashiwa will be joining Oita Trinita and JEF United Chiba in the second division next year.
Kyoto substitute Hiroki Nakayama guaranteed his team's first division status for next season by heading in the winner 18 minutes from time in the 1-0 win over Urawa.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima's Hisato Sato scored his 13th goal of the season his side a 1-0 win at Jubilo Iwata, while goals in each half from Yoshizumi Ogawa and Magnum earned Nagoya Grampus a 2-0 win over Montedio Yamagata.
FC Tokyo edged Vissel Kobe 1-0 thanks to Daishi Hiramatsu's 88th-minute winner.
In Sunday's games, Yokohama F Marinos beat Shimizu S-Pulse 2-0 while Oita defeated JEF by the same score.
