Match Report
The table read 3rd (Kashima Antlers, 12 pts) against 1st (Avispa Fukuoka, 0 pts), 12 points apart.
Momentum sat with Kashima Antlers, winners of their last seven, having scored in 8 consecutive games. Kashima Antlers had banked 15 of the last 15 points on offer; Avispa Fukuoka, 7.
11 meetings are on record — 6 won by Kashima Antlers, 1 by Avispa Fukuoka, 4 drawn, at 2.45 goals per meeting. Hosting has counted for little in this fixture — the home side has won only 27% of those meetings.
The match was played at Kashima Soccer Stadium (capacity 40,728). With 63 matches recorded and 1.1 yellow cards per game, H. Shimizu was the man in the middle. It was 1-1 at the break, and the second half added 3 goals for the 3-2 full-time score.
Goal scorers
Kashima Antlers: Tatsuki Nara (31' og), Léo Ceará (60'), Aleksandar Cavric (64') · Avispa Fukuoka: Shu Morooka (43'), Léo Ceará (76' og)
Key stats
Possession: Kashima Antlers 56% · Avispa Fukuoka 44% · Total shots: 11-19 · On target: 3-6 · Corners: 2-8