Urawa Reds scraped a 1-0 win over visiting Albirex Niigata as top-flight action in the J. League resumed in full on Saturday after a two-month break for the World Cup finals in Brazil.

Topping the table heading into the summer recess, Reds were the benefactors of a 16th-minute own goal from Ken Matsubara at a rain-lashed Saitama Stadium, and that was all that was needed for the former Asian club champions to stay one point clear nearing the halfway point of the season. Reds equaled a league record by holding their opponent scoreless for their sixth straight game.

Sagan Tosu stayed second, Kim Min-woo striking the only goal of the game after goalkeeper Akihiro Hayashi had pulled off a series of excellent saves in a 1-0 win at Vissel Kobe.