Football: Soma, Okamura spur Machida to 2-1 win over leaders Kashima
Go Kuroda's men went ahead after just six minutes at Machida Gion Stadium when Soma finished a rapid attacking movement that began with goalkeeper Kosei Tani's long ball.
Defender Okamura doubled the lead in the 34th minute when he headed Hokuto Shimoda's lofted ball past Kashima keeper Tomoki Hayakawa.
Yuma Suzuki sent his shot just outside the upright, and Leo Ceara headed wide as the visitors failed to convert chances early in the second half.
Suzuki eventually pulled a goal back with an 85th-minute penalty after being brought down by center-back Ryuho Kikuchi.
Machida's victory was their second in a row, while Toru Oniki's Antlers remained on 41 points with only one win from their last four J1 matches.
Later in the day, second-placed Kashiwa Reysol were held to a thrilling 3-3 home draw by Kyoto Sanga, who came from behind three times.
The draw left Kashiwa on 38 points and Kyoto on 35 points.
Vissel Kobe moved up to third place after a Taisei Miyashiro brace gave the two-time reigning champions a 2-1 win at Kawasaki Frontale. Kyoto dropped to fourth from third in the table.
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