KASHIMA, Ibaraki Pref. — Kashima Antlers salvaged a draw but gifted a careless away goal to Adelaide United as their Asian Champions League quarterfinal first leg finished 1-1 on Wednesday night.
Travis Dodd gave the Australians the lead against the run of play as Kashima's defense failed to deal with a straightforward ball into the box in the 38th minute, but a slapstick own-goal from Robert Cornthwaite, who turned a harmless Atsuto Uchida cross into his own net, leveled the match for Kashima on the stroke of halftime.
Antlers showed by far the greater attacking verve on a terrible, pockmarked playing surface at Kashima Stadium, but the Japanese side will travel to Adelaide for the return leg next week knowing a scoreless draw will send it crashing out of the competition.