SAITAMA — Brazilian striker Leandro dealt Urawa Reds' title hopes a savage blow as Vissel Kobe stunned the jaded Asian club champions 1-0 in the J. League Saturday.
Having won just one of its previous three league games, Urawa was looking for a lift ahead of Wednesday's crunch Asian Champions League semifinal second leg against bitter rival Gamba Osaka.
But instead Gert Engels' men had to trudge back to the dressing room with boos and catcalls from their own fans ringing in their ears after Leandro rifled home the decider on 83 minutes to give Kobe a fully deserved three points.