Niigata's season splutters towards an end with a 3-1 loss at Matsumoto Yamaga (16th).
Fitzgerald absent.
Niigata now down to 8th with 3 L & 1 D in their last 4 games.
Probably struggling for motivation with neither promotion or relegation happening. 39 games played in about 4 months, and 3 still to go.
In the J1, Fitzgerald's old club Kawasaki Frontale, have the title wrapped up, 14 points clear with 3 games to go.
Ange Pot's Yokohama F. Marinos, who won the J1 title last season are down in 9th. They are still going in the ACL, having made round of 16.