Kashima substitute forward Masashi Motoyama struck the winning goal in the 104th minute, giving J. League Division One leaders Antlers a 2-1 extra-time win over the Urawa Reds on Saturday afternoon at Tokyo's National Stadium.
Antlers and former Japan left-back Naoki Soma made his comeback after a nine-month absence due to a knee injury. Soma came off the bench at the start of extra time and made a great contribution to the Antlers' victory by winning a throw-in that lead to the winner after attacking the left flank.
Receiving the ball from Soma's throw-in, Motoyama played a neat one-two with Augusto before cutting into the area to fire home the winner with the outside of his left foot. Visiting Kashima had gone ahead with forward Takayuki Suzuki's sixth-minute opener. But the Reds, inspired by substitute midfielder Toshiyuki Abe, rallied hard in the second half and scored an equalizer in the 88th minute through substitute forward Yuichiro Nagai.
In other games Jubilo Iwata beat Grampus Eight 2-0, FC Tokyo drew 2-2 with JEF United, Shimizu S-Pulse whipped Cerezo Osaka 4-1, Gamba Osaka and Condodole Sapporo played to a 0-0 draw and Sanfrecce Hiroshima downed Yokohama F Marinos 3-1. In the two night games scheduled, Wagner Lopes twice found the target as Avispa Fukuoka romped to a 3-0 win at Tokyo Verdy and Vissel Kobe drew 1-1 at home to Kashiwa Reysol.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.