Both Japanese teams earned points on the second night of the 2016 AFC Champions League group stage’s opening round.
Playing in front of a home crowd of 19,500, Urawa Reds won 2-0 against Sydney FC for their first home ACL victory since April 2013.
An early Yuki Muto goal put the 2007 champions on top the A-League representatives, with Shinzo Koroki sealing the result with a second-half penalty kick.
In the night’s other match, Gamba Osaka earned an important away point with a scoreless draw at Suwon Bluewings.
The second round will take place on March 1 and 2 with Sanfrecce Hiroshima at FC Seoul, FC Tokyo hosting Binh Duong, Gamba Osaka welcoming Melbourne Victory and Urawa Reds traveling to Pohang Steelers.
