Shoma Doi provided Kashima Antlers with the perfect tonic for their Asian Champions League blues by hitting the winner in a 1-0 victory away to FC Tokyo in the J. League on Sunday.

Doi struck in the 34th minute in front of over 42,000 at Ajinomoto Stadium as Antlers held on in the face of intense late pressure from Tokyo, which suffered only its second defeat of the season.

"We knew we would be under pressure playing away in front of 40,000 fans and after taking a 1-0 lead into the break, we expected to be on the back foot in the second half," said Kashima manager Toninho Cerezo.