Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Ibaraki: Kashima Antlers and Shanghai Shenhua shared the points at Kashima Stadium after a 1-1 draw in their AFC Champions League Group H opener on Wednesday.
In their first match in the continental competition since 2011, the visitors from China PR needed just three minutes to get their first goal of the 2018 edition as Obafemi Martins crossed for captain Giovanni Moreno to header home.
The Japanese hosts were inches from levelling the scores on the half hour mark, Gen Shoji leaping highest to meet a Pedro Junior’s flick-on from a corner, but the defender saw his attempt whistle narrowly wide of Li Shuai’s right-hand post.
Nevertheless, Kashima needed just five minutes following the half-time interval to level. Yasushi Endo was in the right place to convert a loose ball after Li Shuai had blocked Yuma Suzuki’s fierce effort.
Go Oiwa’s side pushed for a winner and new signing Atsuto Uchida did go close in the final minutes, only to be denied by Li Shuai, with Cao Yunding then striking the woodwork in stoppage time at the other end with a powerful drive.
The Chinese Super League side will next host Australia’s Sydney FC on February 21, while Kashima travel to Suwon Samsung Bluewings of the Korea Republic, the early Group H front runners.