Yokohama F. Marinos failed in their bid to capture the J. League's first-stage championship when they played to a 0-0 draw after extra time against Shimizu S. Pulse in front of 36,000 spectators at Tokyo National Stadium on Saturday.
On this evening's performance, they didn't deserve to win anything either. Their cutting edge which had been evident throughout the majority of the season was clearly absent on the night as passes were carelessly sprayed around and chances squandered.
Yokohama manager Sebastiao Lazaroni made no excuses for his side's inability to produce results under pressure.
"We played well over the stage and were in the title race for most of it but we just did not have what it takes to win it," he said.
Shimizu did not look the part either, a point illustrated by the fact that it did not manage a single shot on goal in the first half of play.
A dull first half was brightened only by the attacking play of Marinos forward Will who almost conjured a goal out of nothing in the 31st minute when he drilled a left-foot shot just wide of the right upright despite the close attentions of three S-Pulse defenders.
With news filtering through that title rival Jubilo had squandered a 2-0 halftime lead at Kashiwa, Yokohama pushed forward in search of a title-winning goal.
Despite the efforts of hardworking captain Naoki Matsuda, the goal proved to be elusive as goal-scoring opportunities were wasted with some woeful finishing.
The result became academic as Jubilo scored a late winner to capture the title and neither Yokohama nor Shimizu managed to break the deadlock.