The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Tokyo

Gamba Osaka trounced Ventforet Kofu 5-0 on Sunday to reduce defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds' lead at the top to six points in the J-League with five games to go.

Takahiro Futagawa produced a pin-point pass for Shinichi Terada to open the scoring in the fourth minute.

Six minutes later Futagawa again sent a floating ball to Brazilian striker Magno Alves, who shook off a defender to strike home a right-footer for a 2-0 lead.

Futagawa went from provider to scorer in the 38th minute when he exchanged passes with Terada before firing home.

Terada and Masafumi Maeda wrapped up a comfortable victory with goals in the 73rd and 84th minutes.

"I think we controlled the game pretty well. Hopefully, we can play a game like this in the remaining five games and continue to put pressure on Urawa," said Osaka coach Akira Nishino.

In the only other game on Sunday, Brazilian Lucas netted a 57th-minute goal from close range to give FC Tokyo a 1-0 win over Nagoya Grampus Eight.

Urawa beat JEF United Chiba 4-2 on Saturday to keep a safe distance between themselves and Osaka.

Also on Saturday, third-placed Kashima Antlers beat Iwata 3-1, Shimizu S-Pulse downed Yokohama Marinos 2-0, Niigata lost to Kawasaki Frontale 4-3 and Kashiwa lost 2-1 to Oita Trinita.

Yokohama FC became the first team to be relegated this season after they crashed to a 3-0 defeat to Vissel Kobe.