Shunki Higashi of Sanfrecce Hiroshima scores from a free kick during a match against Vissel Kobe on Sept. 5, 2021, at Edion Stadium in Hiroshima. (Kyodo)

       Sanfrecce Hiroshima went down to 10 men but secured a 1-1 home draw on Sunday against Vissel Kobe, who handed new signing Bojan Krkic his J-League top-flight debut.

       Shunki Higashi's superb 66th-minute free kick gave the home side the lead, eight minutes after they went a man down following a second yellow card for Rhayner. Daiju Sasaki headed in the 72nd-minute leveler as Vissel salvaged a point at Edion Stadium.

       Vissel started the game level on points with Kashima Antlers, Sagan Tosu and Nagoya Grampus as they battle for third place and a spot in next season's Asian Champions League, but could not make their numerical advantage count.

       "We need to win these kinds of games to reach our aim of getting the ACL berth," said Sasaki, who netted his first goal of the season. "Frankly I'm happy about the goal, but a bit disappointed it wasn't one to win a game."

       Douglas Vieira's effort on a half volley almost gave Sanfrecce a dream start in the second minute, but Hiroki Iikura reacted well to keep the low drive out, heralding what was to be a frantic encounter.

       Vissel's Yoshinori Muto forced a diving save from Hiroshima keeper Keisuke Osako in the 22nd minute, letting fly from 30 meters following a sharp pass to his feet from Belgium international Thomas Vermaelen.

       A left calf injury forced Kobe linchpin Hotaru Yamaguchi out of the game just past the half-hour mark, however, and the home side had the stronger end to the first half with lively Ezequiel spurning a good chance in the box just before the break.

       The momentum looked to have vanished when Rhayner's reckless challenge on Sasaki near the halfway line left the home side a man down, but Higashi curled a superb left-footed effort into the top corner from 25 meters out, Iikura getting his hand on the ball but unable to keep it out.

       Sasaki spared Kobe's blushes by heading in the equalizer, however, timing his run perfectly to meet an inswinging cross from the left by Ryo Hatsuse ahead of defender Yuta Imazu.

       New arrival Bojan replaced his former Barcelona teammate Andres Iniesta with a quarter of an hour to go, but could not quite provide the spark as the sides shared the spoils.

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