J1 League Regular Season - 1

FC Tokyo 1 - 1 PEN 5-4 Kashima

Ajinomoto Stadium

Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching

Futmetrix Verdict
42
FT
Sat, Feb 7
日本語
FC Tokyo
1-1 (PEN 5-4)
Kashima
⚡ Intensity 42
⚖️ Balance 40
🏆 Stakes 0
🎲 Upset 0
Penalty drama decides top-table J1 thriller.

Tokyo Edge Ten-Man Kashima in Shootout Epic

Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 42/100. This top-of-the-table summit clash showcased breathtaking resilience, ultimately settled by a nervy penalty shootout that leaves Tokyo sitting pretty at the summit.

The Summit Duel

The Intensity was palpable from the first touch as these two J1 League title contenders met at Ajinomoto Stadium. FC Tokyo controlled possession with authority, holding 58% of the ball to establish early midfield dominance. They relentlessly pressed the visitors, turning the pitch into a shooting gallery by raining a barrage of attempts toward the goal. A staggering 35 combined shots were attempted across the match, with the hosts dictating the aggressive tempo and forcing immense corner pressure throughout the half. Kashima had to dig exceptionally deep defensively, absorbing wave after wave of fluid attacks. This sheer volume of offensive pressure forced serious goalkeeper heroics early on, as both stoppers were heavily called into action to keep the scoreline perfectly balanced and the title race tension sky-high.

Madness Before the Break

The defining moment of the match arrived during a frantic, chaotic four-minute spell just before the half-time whistle. In the 41st minute, the visitors suffered a massive blow when Kento Misao was shown a straight red card for a professional foul as the last man, fundamentally altering the Balance of the contest. The hosts capitalised instantly on their numerical advantage when K. Endo found the back of the net in the 44th minute, seemingly breaking their opponents' stubborn resolve. However, the ten men struck back miraculously just seconds later. Right on the stroke of half-time, N. Ueda brilliantly set up Kim Tae-Hyeon to snatch a dramatic equaliser, proving the visitors' incredible fighting spirit despite their severe disadvantage.

Penalty Lottery

The second half evolved into a fascinating tactical siege, with the hosts desperate to exploit their extra man. Despite amassing 15 total corners and applying relentless set-piece pressure, they simply could not breach the stubborn defensive wall again. Seung-gyu Kim produced a masterful display between the sticks, earning widespread plaudits for his crucial interventions to keep the attacks alive. With regular time exhausted in this grueling top-of-the-table clash, the battle went to a high-stakes penalty shootout to decide the extra point. The hosts managed to hold their nerve under immense pressure, triumphing 5-4 from the spot. It was a remarkable test of character that ultimately secures vital momentum, keeping Tokyo firmly anchored at the summit of the league table.

Key Questions

How did the red card for Kento Misao impact the match?

His 41st-minute dismissal forced Kashima to play with ten men, drastically increasing their defensive workload, though they miraculously salvaged a draw in regular time.

What made Keita Endo the Man of the Match?

He scored the crucial opening goal and orchestrated the attack with four key passes, earning an 8.7 rating for his relentless creative drive.

What is the Futmetrix Score?

The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.

Match Statistics

Possession
58%
42%
FC Tokyo 58%
Kashima 42%
Shots
23
12
FC Tokyo 23
Kashima 12
Shots on Target
8
3
FC Tokyo 8
Kashima 3
Expected Goals (xG)
2.45
1.08
FC Tokyo 2.45
Kashima 1.08
Passes
478
364
FC Tokyo 478
Kashima 364
Pass Accuracy
83%
79%
FC Tokyo 83%
Kashima 79%
Corners
11
4
FC Tokyo 11
Kashima 4
Fouls
14
9
FC Tokyo 14
Kashima 9
Yellow Cards
1
2
FC Tokyo 1
Kashima 2
Red Cards
0
1
FC Tokyo 0
Kashima 1

Match Events

35' 🟨 Hayato Inamura
Kento Misao 🟥 41'
44' K. Endo
Kim Tae-Hyeon (N. Ueda) 45'
HT
Yuma Suzuki 🟨 58'
Kei Chinen 🟨 60'
64' 🔄 Marcelo Ryan R. Sato
64' 🔄 K. Endo F. Yamada
Elber H. Hayashu 🔄 64'
R. Ogawa R. Koike 🔄 77'
78' 🔄 Y. Nagatomo K. Hashimoto
78' 🔄 K. Tokiwa K. Hashimoto
R. Araki Y. Higuchi 🔄 78'
Y. Suzuki A. Cavric 🔄 88'
90' 🔄 K. Sato T. Nakagawa
FT

Player Cards

Our take on every player in this match

FC Tokyo

Goalkeepers
Kim Seung-Gyu
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
S. Muroya
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Scholz
ARCHITECT
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
57%
Pass Acc
H. Inamura
MAGNET
MAGNET
91
Activity
91
Activity
84
Passes
7
Duels
Y. Nagatomo
ARCHITECT
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
27%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
K. Sato
NPC
NPC
90
Minutes
90
Minutes
14%
Pass Acc
6.3
Rating
K. Tokiwa
STORMTROOPER
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
T. Ko
ARCHITECT
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
60%
Pass Acc
K. Endo
ARCHITECT
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
21%
Pass Acc
Forwards
Marcelo Ryan
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
6
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
M. Nagakura
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
H. Tanaka
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
M. Morishige
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Omori
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Hashimoto
STORMTROOPER
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
K. Hashimoto
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
18
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Sato
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
32
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Koizumi
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
F. Yamada
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
32
Total Mins
Started
Entry
T. Nakagawa
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
6
Total Mins
Started
Entry

Kashima

Goalkeepers
T. Hayakawa
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
K. Nono
WALL
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
60%
Duel Win %
N. Ueda
ARCHITECT
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
1
Assists
44%
Pass Acc
Kim Tae-Hyeon
SNIPER
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
R. Ogawa
GHOST
GHOST
14
Actions
14
Actions
78
Minutes
6.3
Rating
Midfielders
R. Araki
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
12
Late Mins
12
Late Mins
78
Total Mins
78
Entry
K. Chinen
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Misao
FRIENDLY FIRE
FRIENDLY FIRE
Red Card
Mistake
Red Card
Mistake
3
Fouls
6
Rating
Elber
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
64
Total Mins
64
Entry
Forwards
Leo Ceara
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Y. Suzuki
NPC
NPC
88
Minutes
88
Minutes
22%
Pass Acc
6.2
Rating
BENCH
Y. Kajikawa
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
K. Chida
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Koike
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
18
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Mizoguchi
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Y. Higuchi
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
18
Total Mins
Started
Entry
G. Shibasaki
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Hayashu
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
A. Cavric
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Tokuda
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry

Head to Head

Date Home Score Away Competition Venue
02/07/2026 FC Tokyo 1 - 1 (PEN 5-4) Kashima J1 League Ajinomoto Stadium
08/10/2025 FC Tokyo 0 - 1 Kashima J1 League Ajinomoto Stadium
03/01/2025 Kashima 2 - 0 FC Tokyo J1 League Mercari Stadium
07/20/2024 Kashima 2 - 1 FC Tokyo J1 League Kashima Soccer Stadium
04/07/2024 FC Tokyo 2 - 0 Kashima J1 League Japan National Stadium
07/16/2023 FC Tokyo 1 - 3 Kashima J1 League Ajinomoto Stadium
05/20/2023 Kashima 1 - 1 FC Tokyo J1 League Kashima Soccer Stadium
10/01/2022 Kashima 0 - 1 FC Tokyo J1 League Kashima Soccer Stadium
05/29/2022 FC Tokyo 3 - 1 Kashima J1 League Ajinomoto Stadium
10/23/2021 FC Tokyo 1 - 2 Kashima J1 League Ajinomoto Stadium
02/07/2026
1 - 1 (PEN 5-4)
J1 League Ajinomoto Stadium
08/10/2025
J1 League Ajinomoto Stadium
03/01/2025
J1 League Mercari Stadium
07/20/2024
J1 League Kashima Soccer Stadium
04/07/2024
J1 League Japan National Stadium
07/16/2023
J1 League Ajinomoto Stadium
05/20/2023
J1 League Kashima Soccer Stadium
10/01/2022
J1 League Kashima Soccer Stadium
05/29/2022
J1 League Ajinomoto Stadium
10/23/2021
J1 League Ajinomoto Stadium
FC Tokyo Win
Kashima Win
Draw