TOKYO: Kawasaki Frontale narrowly beat Urawa Reds 2-1 away, taking over the lead from Urawa in the J-League second stage on Saturday.
Midfielder Kengo Nakamura scored a 15-minute opener for Kawasaki, who lost to Sagan Tosu last week and slipped from top to second place against an upbeat Urawa.
Forward Tadanari Lee netted a 28-minute equaliser for the nation’s best-supported club, but Kentaro Moriya silenced the crowd of Urawa fans with his game-winning goal in 74 minutes.
It was Urawa’s first defeat in the second stage as the club snapped their four-game winning streak.
Sagan Tosu climbed up to third from fourth after being held 1-1 to lowly Jubilo Iwata.
The first-stage winners Kashima Antlers snatched a 1-0 win against Shonan Bellmare.
Bottom club Nagoya Grampus remained without a win for a humiliating 17 games this season after Kashiwa Reysol hammered Nagoya 3-1.
