Champions Kashima Antlers fired a warning to their J. League rivals Sunday as they came from a goal down to defeat Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2-1 in their opening match of the 2001 season.
Japan hopeful Mitsuo Ogasawara scored a superb winner after dancing around a couple of Hiroshima defenders and curling in a 25-meter shot in the 75th minute to earn Kashima a deserved victory at Tokyo's National Stadium.
Substitute Tulio had put Hiroshima in front in the 17th minute, prodding the ball over the line at the second attempt after the Kashima defenders made a hash of clearing their lines from a set piece. But Hiroshima gifted Kashima an equalizer two minutes after the break as forward Takayuki Suzuki was left unmarked to head in a cross.