KASHIMA, Ibaraki Pref. -- The Kashima Antlers, the Division One second-stage champion, became the J. League champion after edging the first stage winner Jubilo Iwata 1-0 in extra time in the J. League Championship final second leg on Saturday night at Kashima Soccer Stadium, and taking the final on a 3-2 aggregate.
Kashima midfielder Mitsuo Ogasawara decided the game and final with a tremendous free-kick from 20 meters out in the 101st minute, putting an end to a fierce battle with archrival Jubilo
It was the fourth overall season title for Kashima, which won the treble last season, following earlier wins in 1996 (played in a single-stage format), 1998 and 2000. Kashima became the second team in the league's history to win the season's overall title two years in a row after Verdy Kawasaki, now Tokyo Verdy 1969, did so in 1993 and 94.