Nagoya Grampus continued their impressive return to the J. League first division Saturday with a 1-0 win over visiting Jubilo Iwata.
An eighth-minute goal from Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Xavier proved the difference in front of a vocal home crowd savoring its first taste of top-flight soccer after a season's absence.
The Sao Paulo native, who joined Grampus last season from Brazilian team Cruzeiro, seized upon a defensive lapse by the visitors to secure the three points.