ICHIHARA, Chiba Pref. -- Brazilian midfielder Kelly struck the game's sole goal in the second half, helping FC Tokyo edge JEF United Ichihara 1-0 on Sunday night at Ichihara Seaside Stadium.

JEF United created a few chances in the first half but lacked a finishing touch around the net. Nevertheless, the home team nearly got on the scoresheet shortly before the break through Zeljko Milinovic's header, but Tokyo defender Tetsuya Ito barely kicked the ball out of the goalmouth at the last minute as the first half finished 0-0.

FC Tokyo manager Hiromi Hara then brought on Brazilian striker Amaral 10 minutes after the break. That move eventually helped the visitors find their passing game to produce the winning goal.

In the 77th minute, Kelly scooped a ball to Naohiro Ishikawa and got the return pass from the Japan Under-21 Asian Games member on the right. The 27-year-old Brazilian midfielder then blasted the winner from the right side of the box into the net.

"We were a bit too cautious in the first half, but after Amaral came on we found the rhythm of our game," Kelly said. "I'm glad I scored the precious goal."

JEF United, meanwhile, lost their mobility in the second half and also lost midfielder Shinji Murai, who had attacked hard on the left flank to create several good chances, to an injury in the 68th minute.

The home team then brought on midfielder Lubomir Moravcik, who just returned from an ankle injury. But JEF couldn't get its form back and the club's winning streak, carried over from the first stage, ended at five games.

Japan coach Zico and Masakuni Yamamoto, his assistant and the Japan Under-21 coach, attended the game.

In Nagoya, Austrian international striker Ivica Vastic netted two goals and set up the third as Nagoya Grampus Eight beat Shimizu S-Pulse 3-0 in their second-stage opener.

Nagoya, which put together a six-match winning streak to finish third in the first stage, continued where it left off.