Reigning J.League champions Urawa Reds were forced to come from a goal down to claim a point against league leaders Gamba Osaka at Saitama Stadium on Sunday.
Brazilian striker Bare opened the scoring for the visitors after 18 minutes before compatriot Washington levelled 13 minutes from time to ensure the Reds remained two points behind their rivals, although they slipped from second to fourth in the table.
Gamba started the game on the front foot and duly took the lead when Bare latched on to a through pass and blasted the ball past Reds goalkeeper Ryuta Tsuzuki and into the back of the net.
Washington thought he had equalised in the 37th minute from Ponte's pass but the goal was disallowed by referee Yuichi Nishimura for a foul.
The Reds began to get back into the game during the second period and were handed a golden opportunity to restore parity after 64 minutes when Washington was brought down in the box.
However, Gamba goalkeeper Yosuke Fujigaya proved equal to the spot kick of last year's joint J.League top scorer and beat the ball to safety.
Magno Alves then hit the post for Gamba with quarter of an hour to go before the 55,258 spectators finally saw the Reds even the game up after 77 minutes.
Substitute Makoto Hasebe found Yuki Abe and the defender delivered a fine cross to the far post where Washington made no mistake in volleying home from close range.
Gamba nearly snatched the points late on, but substitute Ryuji Bando was denied by the left-hand post two minutes from time.
Reds manager Holger Osieck was happy to claim a point.
"I'm more than satisfied with our team's performance especially in the second half," he said.
"It was a great effort especially having played some tough matches lately.
"The game was a high-quality encounter between the leading two teams in the league."
Gamba manager Akira Nishino rued his side's second 45 minutes.
"We started well, as I planned, but tailed off in the second half, while Reds improved their game," he said.
"It came from the damage we suffered from the last few games."
Elsewhere Kawasaki Frontale, who qualified for the AFC Champions League quarterfinals on Wednesday, beat Ventforet Kofu 3-1 with goals from Juninho, Magnum and Yusuke Mori, while Vissel Kobe were held to a scoreless draw at home by bottom-placed Omiya Ardija.
Gamba started the game on the front foot and duly took the lead when Bare latched on to a through pass and blasted the ball past Reds goalkeeper Ryuta Tsuzuki and into the back of the net.
Washington thought he had equalised in the 37th minute from Ponte's pass but the goal was disallowed by referee Yuichi Nishimura for a foul.
The Reds began to get back into the game during the second period and were handed a golden opportunity to restore parity after 64 minutes when Washington was brought down in the box.
However, Gamba goalkeeper Yosuke Fujigaya proved equal to the spot kick of last year's joint J.League top scorer and beat the ball to safety.
Magno Alves then hit the post for Gamba with quarter of an hour to go before the 55,258 spectators finally saw the Reds even the game up after 77 minutes.
Substitute Makoto Hasebe found Yuki Abe and the defender delivered a fine cross to the far post where Washington made no mistake in volleying home from close range.
Gamba nearly snatched the points late on, but substitute Ryuji Bando was denied by the left-hand post two minutes from time.
Reds manager Holger Osieck was happy to claim a point.
"I'm more than satisfied with our team's performance especially in the second half," he said.
"It was a great effort especially having played some tough matches lately.
"The game was a high-quality encounter between the leading two teams in the league."
Gamba manager Akira Nishino rued his side's second 45 minutes.
"We started well, as I planned, but tailed off in the second half, while Reds improved their game," he said.
"It came from the damage we suffered from the last few games."
Elsewhere Kawasaki Frontale, who qualified for the AFC Champions League quarterfinals on Wednesday, beat Ventforet Kofu 3-1 with goals from Juninho, Magnum and Yusuke Mori, while Vissel Kobe were held to a scoreless draw at home by bottom-placed Omiya Ardija.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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