Urawa Reds let a precious chance to make up ground in the J.League title race slip through their fingers after a frustrating 0-0 draw with Cerezo Osaka on Saturday.
Third-place Reds went into the match at Saitama Stadium trailing league-leading duo Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Vegalta Sendai by six points with five games left to play, but 1-1 draws for Sanfrecce against Gamba Osaka and Vegalta against Jubilo Iwata gave Urawa the opportunity to cut the deficit.
The 2006 champions were unable to take advantage, however, hitting the woodwork twice and dominating Cerezo, but never managing to make the breakthrough that would have put a very different complexion on the league table.