YOKOHAMA -- A sharply taken sixth-minute goal by debutant Brazilian striker Will was enough to secure a 1-0 victory on Sunday for the Yokohama F. Marinos in their first game of the J. League season, against Urawa Red Diamonds, despite the dismissal of captain Naoki Matsuda in the first half.
Urawa Reds Forward Emerson (center) battles for the ball with Marinos defenders Yasuhiro Hato (right) and Kazuyoshi Mikami during the first half of a J. League Division One match.Ignoring the traditionally vocal support of Urawa's traveling fans in the International Stadium Yokohama, the Marinos started the game the brighter of the two teams and in only their second attack scored what turned out to be the decisive goal.