Urawa Reds and Shimizu S-Pulse fought to a 1-1 draw on Saturday night, with defensive miscues leading to both second-half goals in the J. League first-division encounter.
The showdown between two of the league’s Original 10 clubs was testy from the outset, with three players shown yellow cards in the first 22 minutes.
Urawa pressed early and put Shimizu goalkeeper Togo Umeda under pressure, but the visitors gradually found their composure as time advanced, with many of their most dangerous chances coming through set pieces.