Yokohama F Marinos edged past Vissel Kobe to retain their place atop the J.League table, while Nagoya Grampus Eight beat Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Kawasaki Frontale slipped with a loss to Albirex Niigata.
Japanese clubs Kashima Antlers, Gamba Osaka and Kawasaki Frontale have all been hit by injury ahead of the AFC Champions League opening round.
Defending champions Kashima Antlers suffered their fourth consecutive defeat in a 0-1 loss to Albirex Niigata, relinquishing the top spot to Shimizu S-Pulse.
FIFA.com takes a statistical look at the past, present and future of the beautiful game's Festival of Champions: the FIFA Confederations Cup.
FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2008
Gamba Osaka coach Akira Nishino lamented the frailty of his side's defence in the pulsating 5-3 loss to Manchester United on Thursday evening.
FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2008
Gamba Osaka have sounded a warning ahead of December's FIFA Club World Cup, vowing to attack even against the European champions.
