Brazilian striker Jo scored the winner with an assist from countryman Gabriel Xavier as Nagoya Grampus beat 10-man Kashiwa Reysol 1-0 Friday night in a clash between two sides fighting to avoid relegation from the J. League first division.
With Grampus coming into the match at Sankyo Frontier Kashiwa Stadium third from the bottom in the standings on 31 points, and Reysol two places above them on 33, both clubs were desperate to boost their chances of survival with a victory.
Already trailing thanks to Jo's 35th-minute goal, Reysol's hopes sank in the 77th-minute when defender Toshiya Takagi was sent off for his second yellow card.