KASHIMA, Ibaraki Pref. — Kashima Antlers gave yet another example of their pedigree as the defending champions opened the new J. League season with a masterful 2-0 win over Urawa Reds on Saturday.
Shinzo Koroki gave Antlers a fifth-minute lead in front of a crowd of 35,251 at Kashima Stadium, but Reds' dogged tackling checked their momentum as the visitors gradually began to dominate possession.
In an almost carbon-copy of last season's opening match between the two sides, however, Marquinhos popped up on the counterattack to double Kashima's advantage late in the second half, leaving Urawa chasing shadows as the clock ticked down.