KASHIMA, Japan - Vissel Kobe were crowned champions of the J-League first-division's one-off "100 Year Vision League" on Saturday with a 5-2 aggregate win over Kashima Antlers.
Vissel came into the second leg at Kashima's Mercari Stadium with a commanding 5-0 aggregate lead from last week's first leg at Noevir Stadium in Kobe.
After a scoreless first half, Kashima midfielder Haruki Hayashi opened the scoring in the 68th minute, guiding a cross into the net from the center of the penalty area.
Kei Chinen doubled the lead two minutes later, helping Kashima secure a 2-0 home win.
The special competition was arranged to fill a gap in the calendar before the J-League switches later this year to an August-to-June season from the conventional February-to-December schedule.
The first-tier's 20 teams were divided into East and West regions, with the winners of each region meeting over two legs to decide the championship.
"It was an extremely difficult game. But because we won 5-0 at home, that became the key factor in helping us win the championship today," Osako, who scored a hat-trick in the first leg, said.
"We were under pressure for most of the match, but both the young players and veterans gave everything they had until the very end. I think we were a team worthy of the title."
The J-League is moving the start of the domestic season into line with top competitions overseas, making it easier for clubs to arrange player transfers.
The league also believes the change will improve the quality of play by reducing the number of games during Japan's hottest months.
