Kashima Antlers edged a step closer to an unprecedented domestic treble Saturday as the J. League and Nabisco Cup champions overcame Yokohama F. Marinos 4-1 on penalties in the Emperor's Cup quarterfinals.
Kashima's reward is a semifinal tie against Gamba Osaka, who beat Jubilo Iwata 1-0. Vissel Kobe needed a 4-3 penalty shootout win to see off Cerezo Osaka after a 2-2 deadlock and will face Shimizu S-Pulse, 3-1 winners over JEF United Ichihara.
In a scrappy rematch of the championship final, watched by just 8,058 fans in Tottori, Kashima took the lead through a Yutaka Akita header five minutes before the interval.