FC Tokyo's hopes of successfully defending their Nabisco Cup title suffered an early blow after a 3-1 loss away to Kashiwa Reysol in the first round of group stage matches Saturday.
But last year's beaten finalists Urawa Reds picked up their first win of the season as star striker Emerson scored what proved to be the winner in the 2-1 defeat of Vissel Kobe.
The Group C clash at Kashiwa Stadium burst into life in the 18th minute when Naohiro Ishikawa drove home a cross from fellow Athens Olympian Yasuyuki Konno, only for Kashiwa to level within seconds of the restart.
South Korean striker Choi Sung Kuk floated over a free kick for Sota Nakazawa to head home and the home side then took the lead when the impressive Harutaka Ono clipped the ball past Hitoshi Shiota from close range in the 25th minute.