Brazilian striker Emerson struck a superb equalizer as an under-strength Urawa Reds held defending champion Yokohama F. Marinos to a 1-1 draw on the opening day of action in the J. League on Saturday.

News photoUrawa reds forward Emerson (third from left) battles Yokohama F. Marinos defender Naoki Matsuda during their J. League season opener on Saturday at International Stadium Yokohama. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.

South Korea striker Ahn Jung Hwan opened his league account for his new club by giving Yokohama the lead in the 29th minute before 2003 J. League Player of the Year Emerson grabbed a deserved point for the visitors in front of over 51,000 at International Stadium Yokohama.

Turkish World Cup striker Ilhan Mansiz, however, was unable to find the target on his much-anticipated league debut for Vissel Kobe but two second-half goals from Kunie Kitamoto and substitute Mitsutoshi Watada secured a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over JEF United Ichihara.