Elsinho and Yu Kobayashi struck either side of halftime to give Kawasaki Frontale a 2-1 win away to Consadole Sapporo on Wednesday night, as the J. League first division returned to action.
Ken Tokura pulled a goal back for the hosts in injury time, but it was too late to stop Frontale from securing a well-earned road win following the two-month World Cup recess.
Consadole manager Mihailo Petrovic started Tokura and Thai international Chanathip in attack behind lone striker Jay Bothroyd, who helped put the Frontale defense under pressure early.