JEF United Chiba squandered the chance to reach the playoffs for promotion to the J. League first division with one game of the regular season to spare on Sunday after they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Tochigi.
A win would have guaranteed Chiba a spot in the playoffs for the second year in a row after it was beaten 1-0 in last year's final by Oita Trinita.
Yusuke Tanaka fired Jun Suzuki's men in front on a chilly, windy day at Fukuda Denshi Arena, but they were left to rue a number of missed opportunities after Brazilian striker Sabia equalized for Tochigi in the 53rd minute.