Sanfrecce Hiroshima’s title aspirations suffered a snag after suffering a humbling 3-0 defeat to Urawa Red Diamonds, while leaders Vissel Kobe drew 1-1 against Tokyo Verdy.

With two rounds of the season remaining, Takayuki Yoshida's Kobe side improved to 68 points, three points clear of Sanfrecce, who have now lost three in a row heading into the international break.

Third-placed Machida Zelvia kept their slim title hopes alive after easing to a 3-0 derby win over FC Tokyo.

Machida's title dreams will be over should Kobe win at Tokyo Verdy in the next round of fixtures after the international break. 

Elsewhere, Consadole Sapporo's survival hopes are hanging by a thread after a 1-1 draw at Shonan Bellmare left them six points from safety with two games left. Jubilo Iwata fell to a late 4-3 home defeat to Gamba Osaka as they stayed five points off safety, although they have three games left.

Kashima Antlers dropped to fifth, behind Gamba, after a 0-0 home draw with Nagoya Grampus, while Albirex Niigata salvaged a late 1-1 draw at fellow strugglers Kashiwa Reysol. 

Kyoto Sanga and Kawasaki Frontale drew 1-1, Yokohama F Marinos won 2-1 at relegated Sagan Tosu and Cerezo Osaka edged Avispa Fukuoka 1-0.

With Ulsan HD already winning their third K League 1 title, the race for second spot is still up for grabs.

Gangwon FC, who lost 4-0 to Suwon, trail second placed Gimcheon Sangmu by a point after the latter’s 3-0 defeat of Pohang Steelers, who are four points adrift.

Meanwhile, Incheon United have been relegated to the second division, after narrowly avoiding the fate in recent years.

Incheon lost 2-1 to Daejeon Hana Citizen FC in their penultimate match of the K League 1 season, which means Incheon will finish in last place and face direct relegation to the K League 2 regardless of their result in the season finale against Daegu FC.

Incheon remained stuck at 36 points and Daegu, despite losing to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 3-1, are at 40 points.

The win sees Daejeon improve to 45 points for ninth place and avoid falling into a promotion-relegation playoff, while Jeonbuk, nine-time K League champions who have battled to stay out of the cellar all season, climbed to 10th place with their win over Daegu.

Hong Kong Premier League leaders Eastern registered their sixth win of the season after edging North District courtesy of Noah Baffoe 60th minute winner.

The win sees Eastern move up to 20 points in the standings with Tai Po - three adrift, and Lee Man - on 16 points, both keeping pace with wins against HK Rangers (3-0) and Kowloon City (3-1) respectively.

Elsewhere, Southern District RSA edged Hong Kong FC 4-3.