Yokohama F. Marinos failed to put distance between themselves and their nearest challengers after a 0-0 draw away to lowly Kyoto Purple Sanga in the J. League on Saturday.
The draw preserved the first-stage winners' slender one point lead at the top of the table on 19 ahead of Urawa Reds, who kept their hopes of a first league title and domestic double alive after a 1-1 draw away to FC Tokyo.
Yuto Sato scored twice as JEF United Ichihara came from behind to win 2-1 away at Vegalta Sendai and join Urawa on 18 points while Kashima Antlers and defending champions Jubilo Iwata also stayed in contention with only three points separating the top six teams with five games of the stage remaining.