After throwing away the J. League championship last season, few could have expected Urawa Reds to respond so emphatically.
Urawa wrapped up the first-stage title with a week to spare on Saturday after a 1-1 draw with Vissel Kobe, claiming the silverware with an unbeaten record after 16 games, five points clear of its nearest challenger. The Saitama side's iron resolve has made it almost unrecognizable from the team that blew a five-point lead with three games remaining last season, and few would now bet against Reds making it through the entire first stage without a defeat when they host Albirex Niigata on Saturday.
"Where we've grown is that now we're able to dig in," said captain Yuki Abe.