Kashima Antlers dodged a bullet to kick off their defense of the Emperor's Cup with a 3-0 penalty shootout win over amateur side Kokushikan University in the fourth round on Sunday.
Kokushikan shocked the J. League champion by twice taking the lead through goals from Masaru Takahashi and Kota Amano, but Marquinhos equalized from the spot in the 75th minute and the tie finished locked at 2-2 after extra time.
Kashima's experience told in the shootout as Kokushikan's first three penalty takers all had their efforts saved by Hitoshi Sogahata before Danilo converted the winning spot kick for Oswaldo Oliveira's men.
Kashima will face either JEF United Chiba or Shimizu S-Pulse, who meet Wednesday, in the next round.