Kashiwa Reysol heaped further pressure on Kashima Antlers and beleaguered manager Masatada Ishii with a 2-0 win over the first-stage champions on Saturday.
Ishii returned to the Antlers bench at Hitachi Stadium for his first J. League match since missing Kashima's 2-2 draw with Yokohama F. Marinos on Aug. 27 due to anxiety issues, having begun his rehabilitation in a 3-0 Emperor's Cup win over Kataller Toyama on Sept. 3.
But second-half goals from Kashiwa's Diego Oliveira and Cristiano ensured Ishii's renewed acquaintance with league action would not end happily, casting Antlers 10 points adrift of leaders Kawasaki Frontale in the overall league table.