Captain Ko Matsubara scored the opener and Ryo Germain netted his 10th goal in as many games with a penalty as Jubilo Iwata handed Machida Zelvia a 2-0 defeat that dislodged the visitors from the top of the J-League first-division standings.
Cerezo Osaka moved back to the top on 19 points, ahead of Machida on goal difference, after Leo Ceara hit a brace in their 2-2 home draw against a Yokohama F Marinos showing signs of fatigue following their Asian Champions League semifinal victory midweek. Marinos are on 15 points, while Iwata have 13.
A physical and well-disciplined Machida dominated the first half at Yamaha Stadium, with right-back Henry Heroki Mochizuki having the best chance when he hit the post from the edge of the box in the 32nd minute. But Iwata, having gone without a clear-cut chance until the break, stunned the visitors just a minute into the second half.
Receiving Matsubara's pass, Germain got away from his two markers with a clever turn outside the box before threading the ball for Masaya Matsumoto. The midfielder's shot was blocked by Machida keeper Kosei Tani but Matsubara was on hand to squeeze in the rebound, superbly slotting high into the near left-hand corner.
"We were facing the leaders today at home, someone who humbled us last year too," Matsubara said of the 2023 J2 champions, who claimed the title 12 points ahead of Iwata. "We knew we'd have a tough spell in the game and feel really relieved to have persevered."
J1 leading goal scorer Germain continued his fine start to the campaign by burying a 70th-minute penalty after center-back Ricardo Grace's header off a corner hit the outstretched arm of Machida defender Gen Shoji.
Machida flooded forward as they sought their way back into the game, but Australia forward Mitch Duke's header in the long second-half stoppage time was tipped onto the post by veteran Jubilo keeper Eiji Kawashima as the J1 debutants were handed their third defeat of the year.
Elsewhere, holders Vissel Kobe missed the chance to go top of the table after losing 1-0 at home to struggling Kyoto Sanga and staying on 17 points.
FC Tokyo won 3-1 away to Albirex Niigata, while bottom club Consadole Sapporo threw away a 3-0 lead for a 3-3 draw at home to Shonan Bellmare that left both sides on seven points.
