J1 League Preview: Kashima Antlers Return Home After Heavy Defeat, FC Tokyo to Miss Three Key Players

On July 20 at 5 PM, the 24th round of the J1 League will see Kashima Antlers host their old rivals, FC Tokyo.

Kashima Antlers suffered a heavy 1-4 away defeat against the struggling Yokohama F. Marinos in the 23rd round of the J1 League last weekend. The team had taken an early lead through midfielder Shinya Chinen’s goal but subsequently saw a significant drop in defensive stamina due to the congested schedule, failing to adequately disrupt Yokohama F. Marinos’ counterattacks and conceding multiple goals. Reflecting on the loss, Kashima Antlers head coach Vukovic stated in his post-match interview: “This is football, so mistakes are inevitable. Our second conceded goal came from a corner kick, but honestly, watching from the bench, I didn’t think it was a corner. Still, I believe that a title-contending team should not concede four goals.”

In the current J1 League standings, Kashima Antlers sit in fourth place with a record of 12 wins, 5 draws, and 6 losses, trailing third-placed Vissel Kobe by goal difference and 8 points behind leaders Machida Zelvia. Their chances of winning the title have become slim. In their 11 home games this season, Kashima Antlers have recorded 7 wins and 4 draws without a loss, conceding less than 0.9 goals per game on average, showcasing solid defensive resilience. However, in recent league home matches, Kashima Antlers have struggled to break down defenses against Gamba Osaka and Albirex Niigata, indicating room for improvement in offensive depth from the bench.

In terms of squad news, midweek saw Kashima Antlers announce the return of former player Gen Shoji, who had been playing abroad in Belgium. Coach Vukovic confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Shoji would start as central defender. Additionally, it was revealed that midfielder Noa Minamino, who had just departed the club, was arrested for sexual assault. Kashima Antlers released an official statement confirming that the player had signed his transfer agreement and that the criminal matter was unrelated to his former employer. Notably, reserve striker Kavric has expressed dissatisfaction on social media, feeling that he hasn’t received enough playing time under Vukovic. If the situation doesn’t improve in the second half of the season, the player may seek a move away from Kashima.

FC Tokyo secured a 2-0 victory over Albirex Niigata in their previous league match, thanks to counterattack goals from Keita Endo and Reon Nagate in the first and second halves, respectively. Their tactic of ceding possession and patiently countering left Niigata disoriented. Coach Kramaric’s substitutions in the second half proved effective, and midfield core player Kuseki Kujo made his farewell appearance for FC Tokyo at Tokyo National Stadium. Reflecting on the win, which marked a sudden change in style, FC Tokyo head coach Kramaric praised his players: “I think the three points were well-earned. I recognize the players’ efforts with a very good attitude. We want to be a team capable of scoring by exploiting our opponents’ weaknesses.”

In the current J1 League standings, FC Tokyo are in seventh place with 10 wins, 6 draws, and 7 losses, five points adrift of the title-chasing pack. They have a chance to reduce this gap to a single win before the mid-season break. In their 10 away games this season, FC Tokyo have achieved 5 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses, ranking among the top teams for points earned away from home. They score an average of 1.7 goals per game on the road, demonstrating a relatively strong attacking force. However, their form in away games over the past two months has been inconsistent, with their most recent away fixture ending in a 2-3 loss to Kashiwa Reysol after conceding a late comeback, partly due to goalkeeper Daisuke Nozawa’s costly mistake.

In terms of squad news, FC Tokyo will not only miss the services of Kujo Kuseki, who is heading overseas, but also those of two Olympic squad starters, goalkeeper Daisuke Nozawa and attacking midfielder Raitaro Aruga, both of whom will be absent for this round. Furthermore, young players Kantarou Doi, Rentaro Tanne, and Tsubasa Terakawa are sidelined due to injuries.

In the 20 previous meetings between the two sides, each team has won 8 times, drawn 4 times, and lost 8 times, making it an even split. In this round of the league, Kashima Antlers will aim to leverage their home advantage to avoid being further distanced from the top three before the mid-season break, while FC Tokyo will look to capitalize on their strong counterattacking form to secure a positive result away from home. What kind of sparks will these two teams create?

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