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Soccer: Iwata stayed stuck in last place after 4-0 loss to Sapporo

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Kenyu Sugimoto (C) of Jubilo Iwata prepares to shoot during their J-League first-division match against Consadole Sapporo at Sapporo Dome on Sept. 11, 2022. (Kyodo)

SAPPORO (Kyodo) — Jubilo Iwata’s uphill battle to remain in the J-League first division became even more daunting Sunday following a 4-0 drubbing by Consadole Sapporo.

The heavy defeat, which came after being reduced to 10 men, left Jubilo anchored to the bottom of the 18-team J1 standings, two points adrift of 17th-place Vissel Kobe and five behind 16th-place Avispa Fukuoka through 28 games.

Akito Fukumori’s curling free kick and Gabriel Xavier’s tap-in gave the hosts a 2-0 lead before the midway point of the first half at Sapporo Dome.

Hopes of a comeback by Hiroki Shibuya’s men evaporated with the 65th-minute dismissal of Brazilian defender Ricardo Graca, who was shown a straight red for a reckless challenge on countryman Lucas Fernandes.

Tomoki Takamine angled a deflected shot past keeper Ryuki Miura in the 90th minute, and Tsuyoshi Ogashiwa completed the rout in injury time after skirting around a ragged Jubilo defense.

With their second straight win, Mihailo Petrovic’s Sapporo climbed one spot on the table to 11th.

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