A new signing from Gremio of Brazil – Rene Santos – made his debut for Frontale at right back. After winning games with no Brazilians in the team, one would have thought coach Kazama would have thought better of this change and, sure enough, the away team – in a huge slump – pulled out the win! Kashiwa Reysol coach had perhaps worked out his particular Brazilian Sudoku, as Ricardo Lobo, though seemingly uninjured and not suspended, did not even make the bench – a wise decision indeed.

Kudo opened the scoring for the away team just after the hour mark with the second attempt at a close range chance and, minutes later it was Junya Tanaka who blasted a half volley straight at the keeper, who seemed to know little about it hitting him in the chest. The deficit for Frontale remained a single goal until added time, when Kudo advanced with the ball, drew the defence and slipped it to his left where Jorge Wagner was marauding in and he took it first time to make it final score 2-0.