Atsushi Yanagisawa stole Masashi Oguro's thunder with a first-half winner as Kyoto Sanga ground out a precious 1-0 victory away to Tokyo Verdy on Saturday.

Oguro made his much-anticipated Verdy debut after returning to Japan from a disappointing two-and-a-half seasons in Europe, but it was former Japan teammate Yanagisawa who grabbed the headlines with a well-taken finish in the 31st minute.

Kyoto's first win in four matches lifted it away from the danger zone while the day's upset came at the other end of the table as leaders Urawa Reds were condemned to a 2-0 defeat away to Oita Trinita.