Defending champions Yokohama F Marinos were held to a 0-0 home draw against Albirex Niigata on Friday, leaving leaders Vissel Kobe on the brink of their first J-League first-division title.
Kobe, on 65 points, sit a point above Marinos. Vissel are at home against Nagoya Grampus on Saturday, when a win will secure their maiden J1 championship with one game to spare.
"Obviously, we wanted the three points. Having said that, I don't think we could have asked any more of the players," said Marinos manager Kevin Muscat, whose title-chasing side were denied numerous times by an excellent game from Niigata keeper Ryosuke Kojima.
"The goalkeeper made two, three, four very good saves. Sometimes when you are full of emotion as well, it's difficult to control your emotions which affect your final pass or final decision. But for much of the game, I can't fault the players."
Marinos had a handful of first-half opportunities at Nissan Stadium, including a big chance in the 12th minute when Yan Matheus, played on by a ball over the top from center-back Ryotaro Tsunoda, had his low shot to the far corner tipped away by Kojima.
Elber's testing 39th-minute free kick was denied, and Anderson Lopes' low shot on the turn was smothered by Kojima before the Brazilian's header off a Matheus cross was again saved by the keeper at full stretch in first-half stoppage time.
The first chance after the break also fell to the home side in the 51st minute, when Matheus' cross was half-cleared and reached Elber, who fired his free header at the far post straight at the keeper.
Niigata, who stuck to their flowing passing style, had a huge chance of their own in the 56th minute when Yoshiaki Takagi's tidy pass found Yota Komi. The attacker, however, blasted narrowly over from close range.
Marinos attacker Nam Tae Hee curled his effort onto the post from the edge of the box in the 63rd minute. Albirex's Motoki Nagakura had a one-on-one save by Jun Ichimori in the 86th minute, and winger Shunsuke Mito's powerful shot across the goal was also saved by the Marinos keeper in a fascinating end to the end-to-end encounter.
In Friday's other game, Kawasaki Frontale eased past Kashima Antlers 3-0 at home, helped by a Leandro Damiao brace.
