The 18th round of the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League concluded on Sunday as Urawa Reds hosted last-place Albirex Niigata.

The hosts, and in particular under-fire manager Mihailo Petrovic, looked incredibly shaky after Albirex defender Kei Koizumi scored the opening goal for his side in the 35th minute.

But the visitors’ defending could not withstand a vigorous Reds attack, with captain Yuki Abe evening up the score in the 74th minute and Rafael Silva notching the winner just five minutes later.

The result was a relief for the Reds, who had lost four of their last five heading into this match, while Albirex remain eight points from safety under new manager Wagner Lopes.