Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Ibaraki: Top spot is up for grabs in Group E of the 2017 AFC Champions League on Wednesday as second-placed Kashima Antlers host table-toppers Muangthong United to determine who advances to the knockout round in pole position.
The two sides have already ensured their safe passage to the last 16 ahead of the clash at Kashima Soccer Stadium but the home team must claim all three points against their unbeaten opponents – who won their first-ever game in the competition following a 2-1 victory over Kashima in February – if they want to progress on top of the standings.
Kashima go in to the tie on fine form after defeating Urawa Red Diamonds 1-0 on Thursday to leapfrog the Saitama side into first place in the J.League table. The visitors, meanwhile, have won three on the bounce in the Thai Premier League since their last Group E fixture, but are without the suspended trio of Xisco, Lee Ho and Tristan Do in Japan.