FC Tokyo denied Gamba Osaka the chance to go level on points with J. League leaders Kashima Antlers with a battling 1-1 draw on Wednesday night.
Gamba striker Lucas returned to haunt his old teammates with a 7th-minute opening goal at National Stadium, but Tokyo responded immediately as Naohiro Ishikawa's hard running and creative verve took the game to the visitors.
Yohei Tokunaga hit a deserved equalizer from outside the box in the 20th minute, and although Gamba laid siege to the Tokyo goal late in the match, the home side held firm to claim a point. Antlers went down 2-1 to Kyoto Sanga FC earlier on Wednesday night, and Gamba manager Akira Nishino admitted his side was not in the best condition to join them at the top of the table.