Kashima Antlers would need a miracle to end the season with their fourth J. League title in five years, but that does not mean striker Yuzo Tashiro is prepared to write the campaign off as a bust just yet.
With damage to Kashima Stadium forcing the club into a temporary life on the road in the wake of the March 11 earthquake, Antlers' bid to wrest the crown they held from 2007-09 back from Nagoya Grampus got off to a difficult start with just five points from their opening six games.
But as spring turned into summer and results failed to improve, concerns began to grow that even the seven-time champions were not immune from being dragged into a relegation dogfight.