CHIBA — Kashima Antlers gave the rest of the J. League an ominous demonstration of their strength in depth with a 2-0 win at JEF United Chiba on Saturday.
Antlers, missing star striker Marquinhos through injury and resting several regulars ahead of Tuesday's Asian Champions League clash against Samsung Suwon Bluewings, took the lead at Fukuda Denshi Arena as Mitsuo Ogasawara set up Takuya Nozawa in the 15th minute.
Ogasawara doubled Antlers' advantage five minutes into the second half with a penalty awarded for a foul on Shinzo Koroki, and the defending champions closed out the game with what manager Oswaldo Oliveira described as one of the best performances of his tenure.