J1 League Regular Season - 5
Kashima 2 - 0 FT Tokyo Verdy
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
26' Y. Suzuki (G. Shibasaki)
↓ Matheus ↑Y. Nagasawa 40'
45' Y. Suzuki
HT
↓ S. Nakayama ↑K. Saito 46'
↓ R. Shirai ↑H. Yamami 46'
↓ Y. Arai ↑T. Yoshida 59'
65' ↓ G. Shibasaki ↑Y. Higuchi
65' ↓ R. Araki ↑H. Hayashu
Kazuya Miyahara 66'
↓ D. Fukazawa ↑G. Kawamura 75'
81' ↓ A. Cavric ↑R. Ogawa
90'+3 ↓ Y. Suzuki ↑K. Tagawa
90'+3 ↓ Leo Ceara ↑H. Tokuda
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Kashima
Goalkeepers
T. Hayakawa 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
K. Nono 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
60%
Duel Win %
N. Ueda 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Kim Tae-Hyeon
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Mizoguchi 
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
10
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Midfielders
R. Araki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
G. Shibasaki 
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
0
Contribution
0
Contribution
7.5
Rating
Yes
Captain
K. Misao 
MAGNET
66
Activity
66
Activity
55
Passes
11
Duels
A. Cavric
LATE SHIFT
9
Late Mins
9
Late Mins
81
Total Mins
81
Entry
BENCH
Y. Kajikawa 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
R. Ogawa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
Started
Entry
I. Sekigawa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Matsumoto
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Y. Higuchi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Hayashu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Tagawa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Tokuda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Elber
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tokyo Verdy
Goalkeepers
Matheus
PROVOCATEUR
1
Fouls Won
1
Fouls Won
1
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
K. Suzuki
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
4
Tackles
62%
Duel Win %
R. Inoue
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Miyahara
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Y. Arai 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Pen Given
Mistake
Pen Given
Mistake
4
Fouls
6.2
Rating
K. Morita
MAGNET
63
Activity
63
Activity
55
Passes
8
Duels
R. Hirakawa
MAGNET
72
Activity
72
Activity
60
Passes
12
Duels
D. Fukazawa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
75
Total Mins
75
Entry
Forwards
R. Shirai
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
S. Nakayama
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
I. Someno
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
Y. Nagasawa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
50
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Sako
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Y. Uchida
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
T. Yoshida
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
31
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Saito
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Yamamoto
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
G. Kawamura
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
15
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Yamami
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
G. Yamada
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/07/2026 | Kashima | 2 - 0 | Tokyo Verdy | J1 League | Mercari Stadium |
| 11/30/2025 | Tokyo Verdy | 0 - 1 | Kashima | J1 League | Ajinomoto Stadium |
| 02/22/2025 | Kashima | 4 - 0 | Tokyo Verdy | J1 League | Mercari Stadium |
| 08/25/2024 | Tokyo Verdy | 2 - 1 | Kashima | J1 League | Ajinomoto Stadium |
| 05/12/2024 | Kashima | 3 - 3 | Tokyo Verdy | J1 League | Kashima Soccer Stadium |
03/07/2026
11/30/2025
02/22/2025
08/25/2024
05/12/2024
Kashima Win
Tokyo Verdy Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Suzuki Masterclass Secures Crucial Points for Title Chasers
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 37/100. A commanding first-half performance from their talisman was all it took for Kashima to secure vital points and reinforce their league standing.
Establishing Authority
Mercari Stadium witnessed an immediate display of intent as the hosts looked to impose their will. While they only edged possession with 54 percent of the ball, their offensive output was relentless. The match quickly evolved into an attacking siege, reflected in a high Intensity reading, as the home side racked up a staggering 12-3 shot advantage over Tokyo Verdy. This constant pressure, fuelled by a succession of 11 total corners, kept the visitors pinned deep in their own half. The inevitable breakthrough arrived in the 26th minute. Veteran playmaker G. Shibasaki carved open the defensive line with a precise assist, allowing talisman Y. Suzuki to find the back of the net and set the tone for the afternoon.
The Decisive Blow
The true turning point emerged in the chaotic final stages of the first half. Tokyo Verdy suffered a disruption when substitute goalkeeper Y. Nagasawa was unexpectedly called into action at the 40-minute mark. Nagasawa performed admirably under immediate duress, registering three crucial saves that temporarily kept the visitors within striking distance. However, the fragile Balance of the contest was shattered right before the interval. A penalty awarded in the 45th minute presented the ultimate test of nerve. Suzuki stepped up to the spot, dispatched the kick with supreme confidence, and completed a devastating hero brace. That second goal effectively extinguished Verdy’s hopes of mounting a second-half comeback and left them facing a monumental uphill battle.
Locking Down the Result
Armed with a comfortable two-goal cushion, Kashima transitioned into a masterclass of game management. The second period saw them effortlessly stifle any fleeting moments of opposition pressure. At the heart of this defensive lockdown were centre-backs Tae-hyeon Kim and Naomichi Ueda, who both delivered outstanding performances to ensure the clean sheet remained intact. They neutralised aerial threats and completely shut down the final third, restricting their opponents to a mere three shots all match. This victory pushes the hosts to 23 points, cementing their firm grip on second place in the standings and extending an impressive run of form. For the visitors, the frustrating defeat leaves them stalled in fifth position as they search for consistency.
Key Questions
How did substitute Yuma Suzuki change the game?
Suzuki actually started the match, proving pivotal from the first whistle. He dictated the attacking tempo and netted a decisive first-half brace to secure the victory.
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.
Kashima's Title Credentials Face Critical Test
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 61/100. A formidable home record makes Kashima the undeniable favourites, but Verdy's unpredictable nature could throw a spanner in the works of this early title race.
The Setup
Right now, Kashima are an absolute machine. Sitting second in the table ahead of this March 07, 2026 fixture, their perfect home record speaks for itself. Five wins from five at Mercari Stadium proves they have turned their ground into a fortress. A surging Form rating validates their relentless pursuit of the J1 League crown. On the flip side, Tokyo Verdy find themselves trapped in a cycle of inconsistency. Alternating wins and losses leaves them trailing by ten points. However, a solid Stakes factor implies that pulling off an upset here could bridge the gap and drag them back into the top-four conversation, while a low Balance score underscores just how heavily the odds tilt in the hosts' favour.
Key Battle
This clash hinges on pure attacking firepower. Léo Ceará is the spearhead of the Kashima offensive machine, radiating an off-the-charts Stars metric. His ruthless efficiency in the final third will directly challenge Itsuki Someno, who carries the creative burden for the visitors. If Someno can exploit the spaces left behind by a surging Kashima midfield, Verdy might just find a foothold. Otherwise, Ceará will simply outgun them.
Our Prediction
Expect Kashima to dominate possession and dictate the tempo from the first whistle. Verdy will likely sit deep and attempt to strike on the counter, but the hosts possess far too much firepower. A comfortable 2-0 victory for Kashima looks inevitable, driven by their relentless pressure and clinical finishing.