Brazilian midfielder Robson Ponte capped a sparkling league debut by striking the winner to give Urawa Reds a 2-1 win over FC Tokyo on Saturday as J. League first-division action resumed after a four-week break.
Visiting Tokyo went in front early on but Ponte set up Yuichiro Nagai for the equalizer and curled home the winner in the 55th minute as Urawa made ground on leaders Kashima Antlers, who were stunned 2-1 at home to Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Gamba Osaka could have reduced Kashima's lead at the top of the table to one point but was handed a comprehensive 4-2 defeat away by Albirex Niigata.
Kashima leads the table with 39 points from 19 games with Gamba on 35 and and Urawa on 32 in an unchanged top three.