Kashima Antlers made a barnstorming start to the new J.League season with a 4-0 demolition of Ventforet Kofu on Saturday.
Davi gave Kashima the lead in the 11th minute before Yasushi Endo made it two midway through the first half, and Gen Shoji added another immediately after the interval before Davi wrapped up the scoring in injury time at National Stadium.
All four of Kashima's goals came from set pieces, but manager Toninho Cerezo was in no mood to complain as he set his sights on steering the seven-time champions to their first league title since 2009.