Defender Ryuji Kawai powered home a second-half header to give Yokohama F. Marinos a 1-0 win over Urawa Reds in the first leg of the last-ever J. League Championship final on Sunday evening.
Urawa Reds forward Emerson (right) dribbles the ball as Yokohama F. Marinos defender Naoki Matsuda stretches to stop him during Sunday's J. League championship final, first-leg match at International Stadium Yokohama. The Marinos won 1-0.
Kawai rose to smash home Daisuke Oku's corner in the 67th minute in front of almost 65,000 at International Stadium Yokohama to give the defending champion the edge over his old club ahead of the second leg in Saitama on Saturday.
Very little separated Yokohama and Urawa in league action this year, with two draws during the regular season.