Urawa Reds had their title celebrations put on hold after being held to a 0-0 draw away to FC Tokyo in the penultimate round of J. League first-division matches on Sunday.
Urawa looked set to clinch its first league crown even with the stalemate, but Magno Alves headed home to complete a hat trick deep into second-half injury time to give rival Gamba Osaka a 3-2 win over Kyoto Purple Sanga and set up a grandstand finish to the season.
Urawa welcomes Gamba to Saitama Stadium 2002 with the upper hand next Saturday, as it boasts a far superior goal difference to the defending champion.