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Chinese champions Guangzhou Evergrande face Kashima Antlers in the AFC Champions League on the same night,  with the former winners looking to cement their place in the knockout stage, while the J.League side are under pressure to claim their first points of the campaign in Group H.

Following their action-packed encounter last month in southern China as Guangzhou edged a seven-goal thriller to maintain their 100% record, the 2013 champions are currently five points clear of defending champions Western Sydney Wanderers of Australia and 2013 runners-up FC Seoul.

Kashima, though, are a further four points off the pace after also losing to Western Sydney and FC Seoul and Toninho Cerezo’s side are in danger of missing out on securing a place in the last 16 for the first time since 2011.

“Although we lost the game, we were able to give a good match and play beautiful football. This is the charm of the sport: even if you don’t win you can give good matches,” said Cerezo following the 4-3 defeat in China a fortnight ago. Our pictures show Mu Kanazaki (above) and Gaku Shibasaki (below).

“I didn’t see any big differences between my players and the Guangzhou players. We just couldn’t convert our chances into goals so we may need some good strikers.”

Also in Group H, Western Sydney entertain FC Seoul after the pair shared a goalless draw in Korea Republic a fortnight ago.

In Group F, bottom side Gamba Osaka will take on undefeated leaders Buriram United of Thailand, with the Japanese champions needing to secure maximum points to claw back some of the six point margin that separates the two sides.

Having only scored once in their three group matches this season, former champions Gamba are further hampered by the suspension of Brazilian forward Patric (pictured above), a pivotal member of their treble-winning side in 2014.

On Wednesday night Kashiwa Reysol (above, Daisuke Suzuki in action) are away at Shandong Luneng, who they beat 201 two weeks ago, sitting atop the group with seven points – alongside Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors – while Urawa Reds (pictures below) – with no points to their name in Group G – entertain Beijing Guoan, who sit prettily on top of the group with maximum points after three matches.

Some teams may well have decided their fate by the end of this round. Or had their fate decided for them. Watch this space!

Images courtesy of World Sport Group

On paper, it would seem that this has not been the most inspirational of transfer windows for Kashima Antlers. Unlike some of the other clubs that are likely to be gunning for the title this season, Antlers have again been pretty prudent with their spending
and appear to be continuing their recent policy of promoting from their youth ranks as opposed to splashing out on established ‘stars’. This season sees midfielder Hisashi Ohashi and forward Yuma Suzuki step up to the first team, while midfielder Kazune Kubota joins the club from high school. 26-year-old Korean Hwang Seok-Ho, who arrives from Sanfrecce Hiroshima adds an extra defensive option, and the acquisition of forward Hiroyuki Takasaki – who proved to be something of a cult hero in 2014, netting an impressive seven goals for basement fodder Tokushima Vortis – is an interesting recruitment, to say the least.
In the dugout, Toninho Cerezo is joined by former Antlers striker and club legend Atsushi Yanagisawa offering assistance in a coaching capacity after calling time on his playing career at Vegalta Sendai at the end of last season.
Brazilian Jorge Wagner, once of Kashiwa Reysol, and fellow countryman Luis Alberto, both leave the club, as does defender Takanori Maeno, while former national team veteran Koji Nakata hangs up his boots.
So, as in 2014, Antlers boast a strong squad with a good blend of experience and youth. Arguably, they lack a forward who is likely to bang in 20 goals a season, but their strength in the wide areas, as well as in the middle of the park should compensate for that. Provided key players stay injury-free and the burden of ACL football does not prove too much of a distraction, there is no reason to think that they do not have what it takes to be in the mix at the end of the season.
On the other hand, showing consistency home and away could be a big issue. The contrast between performances in home games and matches played on the road has been something of an issue at various times over the past few seasons, and, with the bulk of the playing staff the same as in 2014, there is a danger that this year will not be any different. You can be pretty certain Antlers will be one of the better teams over the 34 games, but putting together a run of results to take take them into the end of season play-offs could be
problematic.

Influential players should include Caio, Yasushi Endo and Shoma Doi, but I see national team midfielder Gaku Shibasaki (pictured) as the key man, orchestrating the tempo of the game from deep with his splendid range of passing. Strongly tipped to be a key member for Japan at the next World Cup, and hailed by both former Samurai Blue boss Javier Aguirre and ex-Antlers coach Jorginho, there will no doubt be great interest in his progression this campaign.