Cerezo Osaka extended its unbeaten run to 14 league matches and moved level on points with local rival Gamba Osaka at the top of the J. League after a 1-1 draw with Oita Trinita on Wednesday.
Cerezo Osaka forward Akihiro Morishima and Oita Trinita defender Yuki Fukaya compete for the ball during the first half in a game at Nagai Stadium.
Faltering Gamba now leads the standings only by virtue of a superior goal difference after Tatsunori Hisanaga's late strike gave Omiya Ardija a 1-0 win in Saitama, condemning the visitors to their fourth defeat in five games.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.