Sagan Tosu put the ice on the cake on Saturday with a draw away against Kashima Antlers. The point gained on this last fixture of the 2018 season fixed Sagan Tosu on 14th spot of the table and avoid a play-off game against a J2-League side. The local side also reached their target, getting a spot for the 2019 AFC Cup edition.

Fernando Torres was on the starting line-up and played almost the full game, being replaced at injury time (90+2’) by Toyoda. The Spaniard created two great goal chances on the second half, but finally he couldn’t add to his 3-goal tally this season after the crucial goal he scored on the previous fixture vs Yokohama Marinos (2-1).

Sagan Tosu had an early approach to goal with a free kick on target and a header to the woodwork. The visitors’ strategy was about playing mostly on opposition soil and getting the ball posession. Kim Myung Hwi side was strong on the back line too, with a solid defence to keep the Kashima efforts under control.

The second half began with some threating action by Torres inside the box but keeper Sun Tae Kwoun stopped almost on the goal line. The Spaniard tried again some minutes later with a long-range drive from own soil, an impressive effort inches off-target.

Only on the last stage of the game a piece of the attacking force of Kashima Antlers could be seen at Kashiwa Stadium, with a header by an unmarked Suzuki from inside the box.

- Match stats:

Gonda; MitsunarmOumarim Yuji Takahashi, Yuzo Kobayashi; Ono (Anzai 86’), Yoshiki Takahashi, Hideto Takahashi, Fukuta; Torres (Toyoda 90+2), Dong-Geon Cho (Ikeda 63’).

Sun Tae Kwoun; Yamamoto, Shoji, Seung-Hyeon Jung, Nishi; Anzai (Leandro 83’), Ogasawara, Nagaki, Endo (Shoma Doi 65’); Suzuki, Serginho.

Bookings: Suzuka 37’, Serginho 73’, Leandro 90’.

Goals: No goals.