Kashima Antlers needed a late own goal to salvage a 3-3 draw with Omiya Ardija on Sunday in its opening game of the J-League season.
Lee Chun-soo's second goal of the day gave Omiya a 3-2 lead in the 64th minute but a 93rd-minute own goal by Ardija's Shusuke Tsubouchi spared the former three-time defending champions a loss in their first game of the 2011 season.
After winning the championship three times from 2007 to 2009, Kashima is trying to wrest the title back from Nagoya Grampus, which played to a 1-1 draw with Yokohama F Marinos in its opening game on Saturday.
Lee opened the scoring for the visitors in the 11th minute when he converted a pass from South Korean compatriot Kim Young-gwon.
Kashima equalized in the 47th minute when Masahiko Inoha pounced on a loose ball from a Takuya Nozawa corner and fired in off the crossbar.
Kota Ueda re-established Omiya's advantage just two minutes later with a superb free kick from 25 meters out.
Kashima's Daiki Iwamasa made it a 2-2 game in the 58th minute before Lee's drive from 30 meters but Ardija up for the third time.
Omiya appeared set for its first win at Kashima Stadium but Tsubouchi slid a Mitsuo Ogasawara cross into his own net for the own goal.
In Sunday's other J1 game, Popo scored the lone goal in Vissel Kobe's 1-0 home win over Urawa, which failed to win in Zeljko Petrovic's debut as Reds manager.
