KASHIMA, Ibaraki Pref. (Kyodo) Kashima Antlers secured home advantage in the Asian Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday after beating South Korea's Jeonbuk Motors 2-1 to win Group F.
Lee Jung Soo's header opened the scoring on a rain-sodden pitch at Kashima Stadium and Takuya Nozawa's clever volley proved decisive as the J. League champions finished the group stage with a perfect 6-0 record.
"Everybody saw what high quality opponents we were playing against today and to beat them twice gives us a lot of confidence. It was a nice way to finish the group stage," said Kashima manager Oswaldo Oliveira.
Victory provides Kashima with a home tie on May 12 against defending champions Pohang Steelers.