Kashiwa Reysol handed visiting Urawa Reds a 1-0 defeat Friday thanks to Kosuke Kinoshita's second goal in as many games.
Manager Masami Ihara's side logged their third victory of the J-League top-flight campaign thanks to Kinoshita firing home from Matheus Savio's cross in the 72nd minute at Sankyo Frontier Stadium.
"I felt like my teammates would get me the ball if I got in front of goal," said Kinoshita, who equalized in a 1-1 draw with Tokyo Verdy last weekend.
"Savio found me in a good position and I was able to finish well."
Reds struggled to turn dominance of possession into clear chances, demonstrating their need for greater familiarity among several new players, according to first-year manager Per Mathias Hoegmo.
"Today we had seven new players from last season and we still need time to find these good relations, especially in the offensive part," the former Norwegian national team boss said.
