Substitute Norio Suzuki struck a late blockbuster to preserve Vissel Kobe's unbeaten start to the season after a 1-1 draw at JEF United Chiba in the J. League on Wednesday.
Daisuke Saito's early opener looked set to give Chiba its first win of the season but Suzuki's free kick in the dying minutes earned the visitors a deserved share of the points.
Kashima Antlers stayed prefect with a 2-0 win at Albirex Niigata while Nagoya Grampus are the only other unbeaten team in the top flight.
A 15th-minute effort from Yuzo Tashiro and a Mitsuo Ogasawara goal early in the second half saw Kashima make it four wins out of four and heap more misery on Niigata, which has yet to pick up a point so far this term.