Kashiwa Reysol are slowly but surely returning to championship form as Nelsinho's men edged Emperor's Cup holders FC Tokyo 1-0 in a J. League makeup on Wednesday night.
Defender Tatsuya Masushima bagged the lone goal of the game seconds before halftime as the reigning champions won for the fifth time over their last six to pull within seven points of first-place Vegalta Sendai.
Tokyo tripped up at its old stomping ground at National Stadium, staying six points off the pace with its second defeat in three matches.