SAITAMA — Naoki Ishihara salvaged an 85th-minute equalizer to all-but secure Omiya Ardija's first-division survival and edge Vissel Kobe closer to the relegation trapdoor with a 2-2 draw on Tuesday.
Vissel, occupying the third and final spot in the J. League drop zone, went into the game at Nack5 Stadium after fourth-from-bottom FC Tokyo had beaten newly crowned champions Nagoya Grampus earlier in the day, meaning defeat for the Kansai side would leave it four points adrift with two games remaining.
But despite twice taking the lead through Omiya's defensive blunders — the second a Yuki Fukaya own goal — Vissel threw away their advantage as first Mato Neretljak, then Ishihara struck to give the home side a share of the spoils and a six-point buffer against relegation.