Match Report
Consadole Sapporo, 19th on 37 points, faced a 28-point deficit to Kashima Antlers (5th, 65). On the form table Consadole Sapporo stood 5th over the last five rounds, despite being 19th overall. Scoring rates set the scale: Kashima Antlers 1.58 scored and 1.08 conceded per game, Consadole Sapporo 1.13 and 1.74, with the league averaging 1.33.
Defeat had followed defeat for Consadole Sapporo — four in succession.
5 meetings are on record — 4 won by Kashima Antlers, 0 by Consadole Sapporo, 1 drawn, at 2.2 goals per meeting. Home advantage has meant little here: 40% of the meetings went to the host. 60% of the meetings finished with three goals or more.
The match was played at Kashima Soccer Stadium in Kashima (capacity 40,728). On the scoreboard, it was 0-0 at the break; 2 second-half goals set the final 2-0.