FUKUROI, Shizuoka Pref. -- First-stage winner Jubilo Iwata and second-stage winner Kashima Antlers played to an entertaining 2-2 draw in the first leg of the J. League Championship finals at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa on Sunday.
The Antlers will be relieved to have come away with a draw after trailing by two goals late in the second half and with a man down. An 80th-minute header by Yutaka Akita and an 84th-minute equalizer from substitute Tomoyuki Hirase gave them a share of the spoils and the advantage heading into next weekend's second leg at their home ground.
"I felt like I played the whole 90 minutes myself," said Antlers coach Toninho Cerezo. Understandably happy with the result, Cerezo added: "This result is like a win for us as we will be playing the second leg in Kashima, and, as long as we can keep a cool head, we have a good chance."