TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Third-placed Machida Zelvia kept their slim title hopes alive after easing to a 3-0 derby win over FC Tokyo in the J-League first division on Saturday, ending their five-game winless run in the process.

Ryohei Shirasaki struck in the 15th minute and Oh Se Hun four minutes into the second half before Yuki Soma completed the scoring with 11 minutes left at National Stadium as Machida moved up to 63 points, four behind leaders Vissel Kobe, who play Sunday.

With two games remaining, Machida's title dreams will be over should Kobe win at Tokyo Verdy. Second-placed Sanfrecce Hiroshima, currently two points above Machida, also play Sunday away to Urawa Reds.

"We've been having a long, tough period as a team, and I was feeling responsible, so I'm glad to have scored," said summer signing Shirasaki. "We had to win today...everyone put their bodies on the line to get this result."

The opener arrived after Oh flicked on keeper Kosei Tani's long ball with his head to release his strike partner Erik, who waited for his teammates to arrive in the box before sending a well-timed square ball from the right for Shirasaki to steer home first time.

FC Tokyo wasted a big chance in the 21st minute when Ryotaro Araki blasted straight at Tani from close range, while the keeper also tipped Keita Endo's fizzing strike from 30 meters out onto the post. Opposing keeper Taishi Brandon Nozawa denied a ferocious 20-meter strike from Erik minutes later in an intense first half.

Another long ball led to Shirasaki clipping the post early in the second half following Oh's pass to the midfielder inside the box. They got their second when Soma's deep left-wing cross found Shirasaki, who slid the ball back into the middle for Oh to tap home.

Former Union Berlin attacker Endo sent another rasping drive from outside the box in the 56th minute to test Tani, but the contest was all but over when Nozawa failed to claw away Soma's left-wing corner from creeping inside the near post.

Elsewhere, Consadole Sapporo's survival hopes are hanging by a thread after a 1-1 draw at Shonan Bellmare left them six points off safety with two games left. Jubilo Iwata fell to a late 4-3 home defeat to Gamba Osaka as they stayed five points off safety, although they have three games left.

Kashima Antlers dropped to fifth, behind Gamba, after a 0-0 home draw with Nagoya Grampus, while Albirex Niigata salvaged a late 1-1 draw at fellow strugglers Kashiwa Reysol. Kyoto Sanga and Kawasaki Frontale drew 1-1, Yokohama F Marinos won 2-1 at relegated Sagan Tosu, and Cerezo Osaka edged Avispa Fukuoka 1-0.