Shinzo Koroki opened his Urawa Reds account as the former Asian club champions kept the pressure on early pacesetters Yokohama F Marinos with a routine 2-0 win over promoted Shonan Bellmare in the J-League on Sunday.
Former Japan striker Koroki clipped in a Yosuke Kashiwagi pass on the half-hour mark to light up a match that was for long periods as dull as the slate grey skies hanging over Saitama Stadium 2002.
Kashiwagi then scored direct from a corner in the second half to ensure Reds stayed within two points of Yokohama, who kept their perfect start to the season in tact with a 2-1 win at home to local rivals Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday.