Kashima Antlers manager Oswaldo Oliveira believes the frustration of missing out on a fourth straight J. League title was the driving force behind his team's 2-1 win over Shimizu S-Pulse in the Emperor's Cup final on Saturday.
Antlers surrendered their league title to Nagoya Grampus in November and slipped to an eventual fourth-place finish, meaning only a win in the New Year's Day showpiece would be enough to qualify for a berth in next season's Asian Champions League.
Fellype Gabriel put Kashima ahead with a 26th-minute header at Tokyo's National Stadium only for Frode Johnsen to pull S-Pulse level midway through the second half, but a brilliant free kick from Takuya Nozawa settled matters with 13 minutes remaining and left Oliveira in no doubt where his players' motivation lay.