SAITAMA -- An early attacking flurry had promised goals aplenty for Urawa Reds but their victory margin over Shanghai Shenhua was limited to a solitary Yuki Abe header just before halftime in their AFC Champions League Group E match on Wednesday evening.
Urawa Reds Midfielder Yuki Abe dribbles during the Asian Champions League match against Shanghai Shenhua
of China on Wednesday at Saitama Stadium 2002. Reds won 1-0.
KYODO PHOTOAbe climbed well to direct Robson Ponte's free-kick past 'keeper Wang Dalei on 42 minutes, but after a lively beginning and opening goal the floodgates remained resolutely shut and the game fizzled out under relentless rain to the chagrin of 28,828 fans at Saitama Stadium.