Shinzo Koroki and Yuki Muto struck in the first half as the Urawa Reds picked up a much-needed 2-1 win against Thai side Buriram United in Asian Champions League Group G on Tuesday.
Fellow J. League side Kawasaki Frontale, meanwhile, finished in a 2-2 deadlock with visiting Shanghai SIPG, putting the club at risk of a group-stage exit.
The Reds arrived at Buriram Stadium knowing only a win against the stragglers of the group was likely to keep them in control of their path to the knockout stages.