Defending J. League champions Kawasaki Frontale rubbed more salt into Kashima Antlers' wounds with a resounding 4-1 win over last season's runners-up on Saturday.
Frontale, who snatched the title from under Kashima's noses on the final day of last season, took a fifth-minute lead at Todoroki Stadium through a Kento Misao own goal before doubling their advantage early in the second half with a superb individual strike from Eduardo Neto.
Substitute Ryota Nagaki pulled a goal back for Kashima with a direct free kick in the 64th minute, but Frontale nipped the fightback in the bud just a minute later when Kengo Nakamura latched onto an ill-judged back pass to score his team's third.