CHIBA — Urawa Reds moved into first place in the J. League on Saturday as a second-half Edmilson goal led the Saitama side past JEF United Chiba for its fourth 1-0 win in a row.
The Brazilian's header from a cross by 18-year-old Naoki Yamada was one of few chances for either side at a rain-lashed Fukuda Denshi Arena, but with Kashima Antlers drawing 1-1 with Montedio Yamagata, it was enough to send Reds top for the first time since August.
Urawa manager Volker Finke made no apology for his side's solid, unflashy rise back to the summit, but nonetheless urged his players to score more goals.