Harambee Stars striker Michael Olunga’s team Kashiwa Reysol to Nagoya Grampus at Sankyo Stadium in the J1 League.
Kashiwa lost by a solitary goal to Grampus courtesy Yuki Soma.
The first opportunity fell to Kenyan international forward Olunga in the early stages of the game but he missed the target after shooting with his right foot from a Kengo Kitazume pass
Olunga, who has found the back of the net 26 times in the 18-team league this season, got another chance but his shot went straight to the keeper. Kashiwa continued to pile pressure and almost went ahead in the 19th minute through Cristiano. His fierce shot was however cut out.
After this encounter, Kashiwa remain eighth with 47 points from 30 games. Nagoya climb to second place with 59 points from 32 matches. Gamba is also on 59, but has played one match less.
Kashiwa now need a miracle to finish in the top-three bracket to qualify for the lucrative Champions League. They can only reach the 59-point mark if they beat 11th-placed Oita Trinita on December 9, Cerezo Osaka (December 11), Sanfrecce Hiroshima (December 16) and champions Kawasaki Frontale on December 19.