Tokyo, December 7, 2025 – The Europe Today: Kashima Antlers secured a record-extending ninth Japanese league title on the final day of the J.League season, defeating Yokohama F-Marinos 2–1 in a tense and dramatic showdown on Saturday.
With Brazilian football legend and former Antlers star Zico watching from the stands, the home side entered the sold-out match with a narrow one-point advantage over title rivals Kashiwa Reysol. The pressure was immense, but Antlers demonstrated composure and resilience throughout the decisive fixture.
Ceara’s Double Puts Antlers in Command
Brazilian striker Leo Ceara proved instrumental in the victory, scoring once in each half to give the Antlers a firm grip on the title race. Yokohama F-Marinos, however, pulled one back in the first minute of stoppage time, setting up a tense finale — especially as Reysol clinched a 1–0 win in their own match.
Despite late pressure, Antlers held on to seal their first league championship since 2016, marking an extraordinary achievement in their inaugural season under head coach Toru Oniki.
Coach Oniki Praises Team’s Growth
“It became a difficult game at the end, but the players have grown stronger over the course of the season,” said Oniki, who took charge after winning four league titles with Kawasaki Frontale. “We wanted to build a big lead early in the season, but it came down to fine margins today.”
The Antlers, already the most decorated club in J.League history, have now extended their record to nine titles — four more than their closest competitors.
Reysol’s Late Surge Not Enough
Kashiwa Reysol kept the title race alive until the final whistle, ending the season with six consecutive victories and suffering no defeats since August. However, their strong finish fell just short as Antlers maintained their lead at the top of the table.
Oniki praised his squad’s composure under pressure, saying, “The players feel more responsibility to play for the team and the club now, so they were able to approach today’s game without panicking. I’m really impressed with how much they’ve grown mentally.”
The win cements Kashima Antlers’ status as the dominant force in Japanese football and concludes a remarkable campaign for the club and its new coaching leadership.
