Yuma Suzuki and Shoma Doi scored second-half goals in quick succession Wednesday night in the Kashima Antlers' 2-0 win away to Cerezo Osaka.
The victory at Yanmar Stadium lifted Kashima up three places to seventh on the J. League table, but it may have come at a heavy cost following the loss of star defender Gen Shoji to an ankle injury late in the first half.
Shoji, whose performance at the World Cup in Russia was a revelation for the Samurai Blue, hobbled from the field after sliding to block a shot from winger Kota Mizunuma in the 41st minute.