Full of Eastern promise

Kashima Antlers Co-ordinator, Koichi Hasegawa told Times Sport that they are pleased to be involved with the tournament.

"We decided to come over to the tournament for the experience of playing different teams from all over the world as we live on a small island and don't often get opportunities like that," he said.

"It's a really big tournament and we are delighted to be here to take part in it."

So how are the Japanese players finidng life in Northern Ireland?

"We are really enjoying our stay in Northern Ireland," said Koichi. "The weather hasn't been the best since we arrived but hopefully the sun will come out this week."

Since the J-League's creation in 1993, Kashima have proved by far to be Japan's most successful club team, having won the league title seven times, the J League Cup three times and the Emperor's Cup three times.

By clinching the 2007 J League title they became the first team in Japan to have won 10 domestic titles, and later the same year they completed their second league and cup double after claiming the Emperor's Cup title. In 2008 they became the first club to successfully defend their league title on two separate occasions.

Antlers are also one of only five teams to have competed in Japan's top flight of football every year since its inception.

Led by former Brazilian star and Japanese national team coach Zico, Kashima were the first team to win a J League stage, claiming the first stage of the inaugural season in 1993, and in 2000 became the first J League team to achieve the treble.

To this day, Kashima have maintained strong ties with the football community in Brazil, a fact borne out of Zico's past affiliation with the club. Kashima's Brazilian connection had been manifesting itself in the club's transfer policy with few non-Brazilian foreign players signing for the club.

* Kashima opened the tournament with a 2-0 defeat to Aspire.