Japan Under-22 midfielder Koji Yamase dealt the latest blow to 10-man Yokohama F. Marinos' first-stage title hopes when he struck to give the Urawa Reds a 1-0 away victory in the J. League first division Sunday.
Yamase, who scored the final goal in the Under-22 side's 4-0 win against New Zealand on Wednesday, swept home Emerson's pass from close range in the 64th minute to silence the home fans in a bumper crowd of 39,483 at International Stadium Yokohama.
Yokohama was left ruing a host of missed opportunities and its misery was compounded when defender Naoki Matsuda was sent off for his second bookable offense eight minutes after Yamase had fired the visitors in front.
In Sunday's other fixture, Masashi Oguro scored the only goal of the game with an exquisite chip in the 66th minute as Gamba Osaka defeated Shimizu S-Pulse 1-0 at home to register its first win in five matches.
In late games Saturday, Japan midfielder Takashi Fukunishi struck a late equalizer to salvage a point for leader Jubilo Iwata in a tense 1-1 draw with Nagoya Grampus Eight, JEF United was held 0-0 at home to FC Tokyo, while Kashima Antlers went third on 19 after a 2-0 win at Vegalta Sendai.
Kashiwa Reysol held on to earn a 0-0 draw at Oita Trinita after having defender Norihiro Satsukawa sent off 11 minutes into the second half.