Čavrić masterclass sends Antlers top (Yokohama FC vs Kashima Antlers analysis) | OneFootball

Kashima Antlers Cruise to 3-0 Victory Over Struggling Yokohama FC

Kashima Antlers continued their impressive form with a comfortable 3-0 away win against Yokohama FC in the J1 League on Tuesday, temporarily moving to the top of the table with their third consecutive victory.

Match Details

The visitors dominated the crucial moments despite both teams recording 10 shots each, with Kashima's clinical finishing proving the difference at Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium.

Aleksandar Čavrić opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 49th minute before setting up Yuma Suzuki for the second goal in the 67th minute. The rout was completed when Yokohama's Kosuke Yamazaki turned the ball into his own net in the 77th minute.

Key Statistics

Yokohama FC actually edged possession with 51% and had six corners to Kashima's two, but their lack of cutting edge was evident with just two shots on target compared to Kashima's seven.

Goalkeeper Akinori Ichikawa made five saves for the hosts in a valiant effort, but couldn't prevent his side from slipping to their fourth consecutive match without a win.

Individual Performances

Čavrić was the standout performer with a goal and an assist, earning an 8.3 rating. The winter signing from Slovan Bratislava has quickly become integral to Kashima's attack. Yuma Suzuki also impressed with a rating of 7.9, celebrating his goal with a "Platini" pose - lying down in front of goal - which became a talking point after the match.

For Yokohama, goalkeeper Ichikawa was their highest-rated player (7.2) despite conceding three goals, highlighting the pressure his defence was under throughout the match.

Youth Makes History

The match featured a notable milestone as 16-year-old Mizuki Yoshida made his J1 League debut for Kashima, becoming the youngest player in club history at 16 years, 9 months and 14 days. The youth academy product has been generating significant buzz on social media as "Kashima's treasure" and his introduction signals the club's commitment to developing young talent.

Managerial Perspective

Yokohama FC manager Shuhei Yomoda acknowledged before the match that his team has undergone significant changes, with "more than half the squad replaced" during recent transfer windows. This rebuilding process has clearly affected their cohesion, with the team struggling to find the net consistently - scoring just twice in their last four matches.

League Implications

The victory temporarily moves Kashima to the top of the J1 League, with Urawa Reds two points behind. Meanwhile, Yokohama FC sit in 17th place, firmly in the relegation battle after collecting just one win in their last five matches.

Adding further intrigue to the occasion was the presence of former Kashima manager René Weiler, now working as technical director at Swiss club Servette, who was in attendance scouting potential talent.