Albirex Niigata preserved their unbeaten start to the J. League season but failed to find a way past Omiya Ardija in a 0-0 draw on Saturday.
Albirex went into the match at Nack5 Stadium in fourth place in the embryonic table after two wins and two draws, but suffered an early setback when star player Cho Young Cheol was forced out of the game in the fourth minute after pulling up with a hamstring injury.
Neither team could take the initiative in the South Korean's absence, with driving rain and sloppy passing contributing to a frustrating match that left neither manager fully satisfied at the result.