Kento Misao opened his J. League account as leaders Kashima Antlers took a major stride toward a record-extending ninth league championship trophy with a 2-1 win at Consadole Sapporo on Sunday.
Kashima's victory, coupled with a 2-2 draw for second-placed Kawasaki Frontale at Kashiwa Reysol, moved the defending champions onto 67 points, four clear with three games of the campaign remaining.
Antlers were badly in need of a tonic after they had their lead cut to two points following last week's 3-2 loss away to Yokohama F. Marinos and then saw their hopes of a repeat league-and-cup double end on Wednesday with a 5-4 penalty shootout defeat to Vissel Kobe in the quarterfinals of the Emperor's Cup.