Snubbed national team striker Shinzo Koroki and Marquinhos were both on target as Kashima Antlers put their Asian Champions League heartbreak behind them with an emphatic 4-1 win away to Nagoya Grampus in the J. League on Sunday.
Victory would have sent Grampus into the World Cup break level on points with leader Shimizu S-Pulse, but Dragan Stojkovic's men instead ended up trudging off the pitch with boos ringing in their ears after Kashima had run riot at Toyota Stadium.
"It is a very huge defeat for us losing at home 4-1," said Stojkovic. "It's very tough but we played against the champions today and Kashima Antlers showed us why they are champions."