Tokyo - Urawa Reds opened a three-point gap at the top of the J-League with a 2-1 home win over Nagoya Grampus on Saturday, providing a tonic after their midweek Asian exit.
Goals from Takahiro Sekine and Yuki Muto preserved Urawa's unbeaten record in Japan's premier domestic competition as the nation's best-supported club improved to 17 points from seven games.
But the Reds, who crashed out of the Asian Champions League at the group stages after losing 2-1 to South Korea's Suwon Bluewings on Tuesday, have Kawasaki Frontale snapping at their heels.
"We played some superb football but I'm annoyed about giving away a late goal," Urawa's Serbian coach Mihailo Petrovic told reporters. "It made the scoreline look flattering for them."
Brazilian Renato scored twice as Frontale overpowered bottom club Ventforet Kofu 3-0 at home but Sagan Tosu lost ground after being held 1-1 at home by Kashiwa Reysol and slipped to fifth.
FC Tokyo climbed to third behind Frontale on goal difference thanks to a 1-0 win at promoted Montedio Yamagata.
Last season's treble winners Gamba Osaka entertain Albirex Niigata on Sunday.
Young Brazilian striker Ademilson, tipped for great things in the future, scored his first goal for Yokohama F-Marinos in their 3-0 win over visiting Shonan Bellmare, another of the clubs who came up from the second tier.
In other games, twice champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima comfortably saw off Shimizu S-Pulse 2-0, while Vissel Kobe won 2-1 at Kashima Antlers in a clash of mid-table sides.
AFP
