Kashima holds Kawasaki to 1-1 draw in J-League

2009-07-05 15:37:03 -

KAWASAKI, Japan (AP) - Shinzo Koroki scored a second half equalizer Sunday to give 10-man Kashima Antlers a 1-1 draw with Kawasaki Frontale and an eight-point lead in the J-League.
Kashima defender Atsuto Uchida handled Hiroyuki Taniguchi's goal-bound header and was issued a straight red card in the 34th minute. Brazilian Juninho calmly slotted home the ensuing penalty kick.
Koroki equalized in the 64th minute when he took a perfect pass from Marquinhos and slid the ball past Kawasaki goalkeeper Eiji Kawasahima from a narrow angle.
«It was a difficult match,» said Koroki, who scored his seventh goal of the season. «We weren't able to win but getting a point is huge for us.
The reigning J-League champion moved on to 39 points, eight clear of Albirex Niigata, which trounced Kashiwa Reysol 4-0 on Saturday. Niigata leads Kawasaki and Urawa Reds, which beat Montedio Yamagata 4-0, on goal difference.
Elsewhere, Yuki Maki scored a last-minute winner to earn Nagoya Grampus a 2-1 win over Gamba Osaka.
Leandro opened the scoring for Gamba after nine minutes but Davi scored his 10th of the season to equalize one minute before halftime.
Nagoya ended a four-match losing streak and has 22 points.
Ryoichi Maeda scored with a header in the 17th minute to give Jubilo Iwata a 1-0 win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima.