Match Report
On paper the standings were lopsided — Kashima Antlers 1st with 76 points, Shimizu S-Pulse 14th with 44, 32 apart. On recent form Shimizu S-Pulse sat only 19th league-wide over the last five rounds, well short of their 14th overall. In league terms the two rates read 1.08/1.34 for Shimizu S-Pulse and 1.53/0.82 for Kashima Antlers (scored/conceded per game); the competition average is 1.2.
Across 10 recorded meetings, Shimizu S-Pulse have 1 win to Kashima Antlers's 6, with 3 draws, at 2.2 goals per meeting.
Iwagin Stadium staged the fixture, a ground that holds 20,339. On the scoreboard, Shimizu S-Pulse led 1-0 at the break; 1 second-half goal set the final 1-1.
Goal scorers
Shimizu S-Pulse: Toshiki Takahashi (20') · Kashima Antlers: N. Ueda (74')
Key stats
Possession: Shimizu S-Pulse 34% · Kashima Antlers 66% · Total shots: 10-17 · On target: 6-6 · Corners: 2-5