JAPAN WHEN Brazilian international Leonardo made a tearful farewell to Kashima Antlers fans before joining Paris St Germain in July, the club must have thought it was the end of the world.
After all, Leonardo had teased and tormented opposition defenders for two years with his Sao Paulo-honed South American skills.
But, after two rounds of the second stage of the J.League, Antlers find themselves on top thanks to victories over Jef United and Gamba Osaka.
Antlers are no strangers to life at the top of the table; after all, with legendary Brazilian Zico in the ranks, they won the first stage of the inaugural J.League season in 1993, only to lose the championship play-off to second-stage winners Verdy Kawasaki.
After 17 rounds of this fourth J.League season, Antlers have 38 points but no fewer than five clubs are within two points of the leaders. Urawa Red Diamonds and Jubilo Iwata have 37 points and are followed by Kashiwa Reysol, Nagoya Grampus Eight and Yokohama Flugels, all of whom have 36.
These top six clubs have all won 12 and lost five of their 17 games. There are no draws in the J.League.