KAWASAKI -- Verdy midfielder Kentaro Hayashi's first-half goal on a penalty gave Kawasaki a 1-0 win over Kashiwa Reysol in J. League Division One action Saturday.
Playing in 31.5 C heat at Kawasaki's Todoroki Stadium, Verdy earned its first win of the second stage thanks to some good work from the bench.
"Considering the heat today, I told our players to pass the ball around well to avoid wasting their strength," Verdy's South Korean manager Chang Woe Ryong said.
Chang featured three attacking midfielders -- Takuya Yamada, Naoto Sakurai and Keiji Ishizuka -- who made effective moves behind forward Yuji Hironaga to pressure the Kashiwa defense while blocking Reysol's trademark side attacks. Verdy's new signing, defensive midfielder Kim Doh Keun, also had a good game.
The game's only goal came in the 30th minute after a good run by Sakurai. The former Reds player was brought down by Reysol defender Norihiro Satsukawa in the box for a penalty. Hayashi then wrong-footed Reysol 'keeper Motohiro Yoshida to convert the spot kick.
Reysol tried to rally but never found its form with Hideaki Kitajima often left alone up front. The 22-year-old forward did come close to finding the net in the 38th minute, but his shot sailed past the post. Shortly before the final whistle, he was denied on a good chance by Verdy 'keeper Kenji Honnami.
Chang praised his players, saying: "They kept good concentration to the end. That's what I'm most pleased with."