His Yokohama F. Marinos side thrashed fourth-placed Kawasaki Frontale 4-1 away from home on Saturday leaving them three points clear at the top with just one round remaining.

Second-placed FC Tokyo suffered a disappointing 1-1 home draw with 13th-placed Urawa Red Diamonds, and it's the side from the capital who Postecoglou's men must face next weekend.

Yokohama are seven goals in front on goal difference, meaning they only need to avoid a four-goal defeat (or worse) to claim the crown in front of their home fans.

Third-placed Kashima Antlers are now out of the title race after falling 3-1 to Vissel Kobe.

It took Yokohama just eight minutes to break the deadlock at the Todoroki Athletics Stadium.

Teruhito Nakagawa's early effort was followed in the second half by an Erik Lima double within 20 minutes to stun the defending champions.

Leandro Damiao's 74th-minute goal brought Frontale back into the contest, but it proved mere consolation as Keita Endo restored Yokohama's three-goal advantage with minutes remaining in the contest.

A two-time A-League winner with Brisbane Roar, Postecoglou has turned the five-time J-League champions around in his two seasons in charge.

After a dire start to last season had a relegation battle firmly in the picture, the team improved to finish 12th and also made the final of the J-League Cup.

He was rewarded with a contract extension earlier this month that will see him remain with the club until the end of next season.

Saturday's thumping win over Kawasaki was a sixth-straight victory for Postecoglou's side, who are now undefeated in 10 games and chasing a first league crown since 2004.

Australian Associated Press