League-position context
Oita Trinita rank11th
Kashima rank5th
Oita Trinita points43
Kashima points59
Oita Trinita: #11 Β· 43 pts Β· GD -9
22 pts off the top 2. 5 pts off the play-off line. 10 pts clear of the relegation zone.
Kashima: #5 Β· 59 pts Β· GD +11
6 pts off the top 2. 12 pts above the play-off edge. 26 pts clear of the relegation zone.
16-point gap between the two sides coming into kick-off.