Football: Kashima overpower Pohang to continue perfect start in ACLE

KYODO NEWS

- Oct 29, 2026 - 11:17 All

Kashima Antlers' Ryuta Koike (C) celebrates after scoring during the second half of an Asian Champions League Elite league-stage match against Pohang Steelers at Kashima Stadium in Ibaraki Prefecture on Oct. 28, 2026. (Kyodo)==Kyodo

Kashima Antlers' Matheus Bueno (back) scores during the second half of an Asian Champions League Elite league-stage match against Pohang Steelers at Kashima Stadium in Ibaraki Prefecture on Oct. 28, 2026. (Kyodo)==Kyodo

TOKYO - Japan's Kashima Antlers beat Pohang Steelers of South Korea 3-0 to maintain their perfect start in the league stage of the Asian Champions League Elite on Wednesday, placing top after three games.

Ryuta Koike chested in a cross for the 69th-minute opener before Aleksandar Cavric and Matheus Bueno both scored in the last 15 minutes at Kashima Stadium as the Antlers moved up to nine points and above fellow J.League side Vissel Kobe on goal difference.

Gamba Osaka sit on seven points after their winning start ended with a 1-1 home draw against Buriram United of Thailand.

Kobe are the only other team with three straight wins after a 1-0 victory at Daejeon Hana Citizen of South Korea on Tuesday thanks to a late winner from Ren Komatsu.

Tournament debutants Kyoto Sanga sit sixth after coming from two goals down to defeat Australia's Newcastle Jets 5-2, while Kashiwa Reysol are seventh on four points after a 0-0 draw at Ratchaburi of Thailand.

The top eight teams from the 16-team league stage advance to the knockout phase.