League-position context
Kashima rank3rd
Oita Trinita rank9th
Kashima points63
Oita Trinita points47
Kashima: #3 ยท 63 pts ยท GD +24
1 pts off the top 2. 16 pts above the play-off edge. 27 pts clear of the relegation zone.
Oita Trinita: #9 ยท 47 pts ยท GD +0
17 pts off the top 2. 0 pts off the play-off line. 11 pts clear of the relegation zone.
16-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.