Gamba Osaka maintained its slender lead in the J. League first division after a 3-3 draw at home to Kashima Antlers in a top-of-the-table clash on Saturday.
Yokohama F. Marinos defender Yuji Nakazawa heads the ball during the first half of Saturday's J. League first-division match against Urawa Reds at Saitama Stadium 2002. The match ended in a scoreless draw.
Gamba twice came from behind and looked set to go four points clear of Kashima when Brazilian striker Araujo made it 3-2 late on with his second of the match only for Alex Mineiro to ram home to give Kashima a share of the spoils deep into injury time.
With nine games of the season left to play, Gamba has 48 points with Kashima on 47 and Urawa Reds, Jubilo Iwata and JEF United Chiba all still in with a shout on 41.