Urawa Reds' faltering first-stage title hopes suffered another major blow with a 1-0 defeat away to bitter rivals Gamba Osaka in the J. League first division on Wednesday night.
Takashi Usami did the damage with the only goal of the game on a breakaway early in the first half, sentencing Reds to their second straight defeat.
The result leaves Reds on 27 points from 14 games, seven behind leaders Kawasaki Frontale, who have 34 from 15 in the 17-round first stage. Gamba have 23 points from 15.