Shimizu S-Pulse gave Kashima Antlers a taste of their own medicine Saturday, overpowering last season's treble winners 3-0 to win the Xerox Super Cup and avenge their extra-time defeat in the Emperor's Cup final on New Year's Day.
Goals from Masaaki Sawanobori, Alex and new arrival Marcelo Baron underlined S-Pulse's superiority over Kashima in the traditional curtain raiser to the new season, watched by 25,095 at Tokyo's National Stadium.
Baron, signed from JEF United Ichihara, terrorized Kashima's defense with his physical play and power in the air and linked superbly with fellow Brazilian Alex for the third goal.