Former Asian champion Gamba Osaka will pin their J. League title hopes on Kashima Antlers after Akira Nishino's side eked out a 1-1 draw at FC Tokyo on Saturday.

In what was a must-win encounter for both teams, former Gamba striker Masashi Oguro opened the scoring midway through the first half in his first game against his old club.

Central defender Sota Nakazawa equalized from a Yasuhito Endo corner eight minutes to time as the two sides settled for a point each at Ajinomoto Stadium.