Yokohama F. Marinos held on to first place in the J. League with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Vissel Kobe on Saturday night.
Marinos, who moved top for the first time in over five years last weekend, broke down a resolute Kobe defense when Shingo Hyodo turned and fired home from close range in the 63rd minute at Nissan Stadium, but the Kanagawa side had to remain content with leading the league on goal difference after second-place Kashiwa Reysol beat Kashima Antlers 2-1.
Marinos stretched their unbeaten run to seven games with the win, but manager Kazushi Kimura did not sound confident of it lasting much longer if his team continues to grind out results by the narrowest of margins.