On March 16, 2025, the highly anticipated Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 6 match between Kashima Antlers and Urawa Reds took place at the Kashima Soccer Stadium. The game ended in a thrilling 1-1 draw, marking yet another milestone for Kashima, who extended their remarkable home record to 26 consecutive matches without defeat, establishing a new J1 record and solidifying their position at the top of the league standings.
With the Antlers coming off four straight victories and their momentum high, expectations were high as they clashed with Urawa, who secured their first victory of the season against Fagiano Okayama last week. The match was all set to see how the home team, buoyed by their supporters, would respond to the challenge posed by the Reds.
Urawa made the first significant impact on the scoreboard, catching Kashima by surprise. Just before halftime, at 45+4 minutes, Taishi Matsumoto slotted the ball past goalkeeper Tomoki Hayakawa after connecting with Takahiro Sekine's low and swift cross. This goal put Urawa Reds 1-0 up as they headed to the locker room.
Kashima's first-half performance left much to be desired. The Antlers struggled to execute their game plan effectively and seemed to be on the back foot, allowing the Reds to dominate proceedings for much of the half. Reflecting on his team’s shortcomings, goalkeeper Hayakawa admitted, "The posture and way we fought as Kashima Antlers were not how it should have been. It's not exaggeration to say we lost two points today. While we managed to equalize at the end, we need to bring more spirit, battle, and standards to the field.
Despite building pressure from Urawa's continued advances, Kashima didn’t relent. Their defensive resilience and sense of urgency began to show, especially after Hayakawa's comments triggered discussions on tactics among the players. The stage was set for what promised to be a dramatic conclusion.
With just moments remaining, the Antlers struck back. At the 90th minute, Yuto Sano, aided by a deft cross from Naomichi Ueda, connected with an explosive header to bring the score level. This goal not only salvaged the match for Kashima but reaffirmed their inability to be kept down, much to the delight of the home crown, which saw 31,574 fans cheering passionately.
Reflecting on the late equalizer, Hayakawa remarked, "Even through tough times, being able to equalize shows the strength of our team. Above all, the atmosphere created by our supporters at home is what drives us. Although we have achieved this new record, it’s worth noting we have drawn many times; we need to make winning at home the norm for us.” He acknowledged the team’s need to turn more opportunities to points on the scoreboard, with 12 out of 26 games having ended as draws.
While the draw allowed Kashima to retain their top spot with 13 points, it was viewed by many observers as two points dropped rather than one gained. Urawa’s cohesive play—especially their compact 4-4-2 defensive setup—created rapid approaches to the ball and smooth positional movements, demonstrating their organization and effort throughout. Even though the Reds had the upper hand and created more chances during the match, they couldn’t secure the win to boost their season prospects. This performance did, nonetheless, reflect their growth as they strive for more consistency.
Other matches around the league also highlighted the competitive nature of the season as Vissel Kobe managed their first victory by overcoming Shonan Bellmare 2-1, with new loan player Eliki proving to be exceptional, scoring twice. Yokohama F. Marinos secured their first win of the season as well, defeating Gamba Osaka 2-0, showcasing their continued potential. Meanwhile, Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Kashiwa Reysol also battled to a 1-1 draw, and Shimizu S-Pulse lost 2-1 to Kyoto Sanga.
Overall, the match between Kashima Antlers and Urawa Reds served not only as a compelling display of J1 football but also as another chapter in the relentless rivalry between these clubs. Supporters from both sides can take heart from their teams’ determination and fighting spirit, setting the tone for the rest of this tightly contested season.