Urawa Reds squandered the chance to move level on points at the top of the J. League after the Asian club champions were held to a surprise 2-2 draw at home to Kyoto Sanga on Wednesday.
Quick-fire goals from Edmilson and Naohiro Takahara at the end of the first half saw Urawa come from behind to lead 2-1, but the Reds were pegged back for a second time when former Japan striker Atsushi Yanagisawa finished a flowing move to earn the visitors a share of the points.
There were no surprises in Wednesday's other games involving the J. League's big guns as champions Kashima Antlers blanked Omiya Ardija 2-0 thanks to Marquinhos 19th and 20th goals of the season, while Gamba Osaka beat 10-man Kashiwa Reysol 2-1 at Expo Stadium.
Kashima moved top of the table on 49 points ahead of Nagoya Grampus on goal difference. Oita have 48 points while Reds are fourth another point back.