SAITAMA -- Urawa Reds striker Emerson came off the bench in the second half to strike the winner as the J. East team edged the J. West team 2-1 in the J. League All-Star Match on Saturday night at Saitama Stadium 2002.

News photoMasashi Nakayama (left) of J. West and Harutaka Ono of J. East compete for the ball as Naohiro Takahara looks on during Saturday's J. League All-Star Match at Saitama Stadium 2002. J. East won 2-1.

Emerson was named the MVP in his first appearance in the annual event. Vissel Kobe striker Kazu Miura, who scored late in the second half for the J. West team, won the Fighting Spirit prize. East defender Eisuke Nakanishi of JEF United Ichihara was honored as the most impressive player.