Urawa Reds have jumped to the top of the J-League table with a 1-0 win over JEF United on the weekend.

The only goal of the match came in the 58th minute through a header from Brazilian Edmilson and despite the narrow win, manager Volker Finke said it wasn't the intent to score once then defend.

"Yes, I'm the Italian coach of Japan," Finke joked with reporters after the game.

"This 1-0 is a result of a very offensive defence because we attack very early on. It's not the Italian way; it's not Catenaccio.

"Not today, but in the game against Nagoya and the last game at home against Kyoto, you have to score. We had seven, eight, nine big opportunities to score. The games have come on a good level, but the scoring is not enough, it's true.

"But it needs time because you can't make scoring just after one or two hour of training."

Finke added, "I'm especially happy for the older players on the team.

"The mix of the young players and the old players is good. I always try to push the young players as the same as the old players."