Learn more

Defending champions Vissel Kobe were held to a 1-1 draw by Tokyo Verdy but extended their lead in the J-League title race Sunday as second-place Sanfrecce Hiroshima continued to flounder in a 3-0 loss to Urawa Reds. With two rounds of the season remaining, Takayuki Yoshida’s Kobe side improved to 68 points, three points clear of Hiroshima, who have now lost three in a row heading into the international break. Tetsushi Yamakawa’s seventh-minute strike appeared to be enough for Kobe before a 91st-minute own goal gave the hosts a share of the points at Ajinomoto Stadium. Yamakawa controlled with …

cuu