Winger Yota Komi secured Albirex Niigata a share of the points in their 1-1 draw with Urawa Reds on Saturday after equalizing with his maiden J-League first-division goal.
The 21-year-old former Japan youth international netted from close range in the 81st minute at Denka Big Swan Stadium, finishing an end-to-end passing movement that began with Niigata goalkeeper Ryosuke Kojima.
"I've had a decent number of chances in league games. It was a relief to make one count," said Komi, who contributed to Niigata winning the J2 championship last year.
The visiting Asian champions had taken the lead on Alexander Scholz's penalty in the 38th minute. The Danish center-back converted from the spot after Albirex defender Motoki Nagakura was penalized for handball.
Aiming for their third straight win, Maciej Skorza's fourth-place Reds arrived in Niigata trailing third-place Nagoya Grampus by a single point.
The margin remained unchanged, with Nagoya also giving up a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw with Yokohama FC at Toyota Stadium. Kazuma Takai scored for the visitors in the 86th minute to cancel out Sho Inagaki's first-half opener.
In other J1 action, Thailand international Supachok Sarachat struck a brace to lead Consadole Sapporo to a 4-0 victory over visiting Gamba Osaka, ending a nine-game winless streak.
