BANGKOK - Kashima Antlers coach Oswaldo de Oliveira warned his players against complacency after they breezed to a 9-1 victory over Krung Thai Bank in their AFC Champions League Group F opener on Wednesday. The hosts were never really in the game as Kashima, looking to wrest the continental title from fellow Japanese side Urawa Reds, dominated from start to finish. Yuzo Tashiro, Marquinhos and Takuya Nozawa all helped themselves to two goals each while Daiki Iwamasa, Takeshi Aoki and Ryuta Sasaki also scored to ensure Antlers got their campaign off to an emphatic start. "It is a good start," said de Oliveira. "It makes us very optimistic for the rest of the competition. "The games will get harder and we have to raise our standard. We also have J.League matches so we have to watch the players' condition. "It is too early to say how we will do but we are happy to get the competition off to a good start." Krung Thai Bank coach Attaphol Puspakom admitted the result will make it difficult for his side to progress beyond the group stage. Kassim Kone had reduced the deficit for the Thai side after the hour mark with a header but it did little to stem Kashima's onslaught as they continued to add goals. "At the beginning of the match, we aimed for three points," said Attaphol. "We attacked from the start of the game but our defenders, especially the two full backs, did not mark the Kashima players well and that allowed their players to score easily. "This loss will make it difficult for us to qualify for the next round. In the rest of the matches we will have to play our best. "Kashima have a lot more experience than our players in this tournament.Some of our players are new to the competition." Attaphol's biggest fear is that the defeat could have a damaging effect on the club's form in the domestic league. He added: "We lost this match and surely it will effect our form in the Thailand League because our defenders and goalkeeper will lose confidence. "I think this is the biggest score that we have lost to an opponent by in the AFC Champions League."
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