On June 26th at 6:00 PM, Kashima Antlers will host Cerezo Osaka at the Ibaraki Kashima Soccer Stadium for the 20th round of the J League.
In the previous J League round, Kashima Antlers drew 2-2 against Urawa Reds in an away match. They had taken a two-goal lead in the first half thanks to Yuma Suzuki’s excellent performance. However, Urawa’s young player, Eiju Takeda, turned the game around in the second half. Two defensive errors by Kashima led to two goals for Urawa, ultimately ending the “Double Reds” clash with a draw. After the game, Kashima’s scorer, Yuma Suzuki, remained on the field for a while, unable to accept the loss of points despite the good start. He also expressed his disappointment with his teammates’ lack of focus.
Currently, in the J League standings, Kashima Antlers sit in second place with 11 wins, 4 draws, and 4 losses. They are two points behind Machida Zelvia, the current leader, and their chances for the championship remain open. In their 9 home matches this season, Kashima Antlers have remained undefeated with 6 wins and 3 draws. They are the only team in the J League to have an unbeaten record at home. However, in their previous home match against relegation-threatened Albireo Niigata, they were held to a 1-1 draw. Their defense was under pressure throughout the game, and Kaishu Sano, their midfielder, admitted they were lucky to get a point against Niigata.
In terms of lineup, Kashima Antlers will be without their foreign midfielder, Milosavljevic, due to injury. Their third goalkeeper, Yuta Kaji, also sustained an injury during Tuesday’s training session, and his return date is yet to be announced. Most importantly, Kashima’s key midfielder, Kaishu Sano, was rumored to be joining Mainz for a hefty €4 million fee earlier this week. Mainz sources have confirmed the offer, and the player may play his final home game in this match.
Away side, Cerezo Osaka, won their last league game 2-1 against defending champions Vissel Kobe at home. They took a two-goal lead in the second half and gifted a penalty to Yoshinori Muto in the final moments, which only slightly marred their victory. Since entering May, Cerezo Osaka has undoubtedly been the best team in the J League. They showcased their strong offensive and defensive transitions against Osaka Sakura and Kawasaki Frontale, among others. Team captain, Takashi Usami, has finally found his form this season, having already accumulated 7 goals and 3 assists, showing signs of a second spring in his career.
Currently, in the J League standings, Cerezo Osaka sits in third place with 11 wins, 4 draws, and 4 losses after their five consecutive victories. They are 4 goals behind Kashima Antlers, their opponent in this match, and only 2 points behind the leader, Machida Zelvia. The battle for the championship among these three strong contenders is likely to continue until the season’s final stages. In their 10 away matches this season, Cerezo Osaka has won only 4, drawn 3, and lost 3, with their scoring ability ranking only 8th in the league. Their overall away performance hasn’t met expectations. However, they have won 3 and drawn 1 in their last 4 away games, and their recent attacking firepower is worth acknowledging.
In terms of lineup, Cerezo Osaka’s Brazilian forward, Alano, has returned from injury. Israeli midfielder, Rav, and Tunisian striker, Jebali, have also been included in the squad. However, captain Genki Miura, midfielders Yuya Fukuda, Kota Yamada, and Jin Nakama are all sidelined due to injuries.
In their previous 20 encounters, Kashima Antlers have a dominant record of 12 wins, 5 draws, and 3 losses against Cerezo Osaka, giving them a clear psychological advantage. In this match, Kashima Antlers will strive for a victory in their quest for the championship title, while Cerezo Osaka, with their slightly weaker away performance, will attempt to secure a point away from home.
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