Kashima Make It Three Wins in a Row to Stay Top; Usami Free-Kick Rescues Draw for Gamba Osaka [Summary: ACL Elite League Stage MD3]

The remaining Matchday 3 fixtures involving J.League clubs in the AFC Champions League Elite League Stage were played on 28 October, with Kashima maintaining top spot after a third consecutive victory.
 
Kashima cruised to a 3-0 home win over FC Pohang Steelers of Korea Republic. Ryuta Koike broke the deadlock in the 69th minute before Aleksandar Cavric doubled the lead in the 75th. Matheus Bueno added a third in the 90th minute to seal the victory and keep Kashima top of the table.
 
Gamba Osaka came from behind to draw 1-1 at home to Buriram United of Thailand. After falling behind in the 39th minute, Takashi Usami struck a superb direct free-kick in the 66th to earn Gamba a point.

■Match Data
Kashima vs. Pohang
Gamba Osaka vs. Buriram