FC Tokyo and Kashima Antlers take centerstage this weekend as the two clubs collide on Sunday at 17:00 in a game broadcast live from the Japan National Stadium to local broadcasters around the world.

Those without a local broadcaster can catch this latest Kokuritsu Day match live on JLeague.co and the J.League International YouTube Channel.

FC Tokyo enter the match on a high after their terrific comeback win in midweek action. Ryotaro Araki and Kuryu Matsuki scored shortly after halftime to bring their side back from a one-goal deficit to beat Urawa Reds and leap into the top half of the table.

That the win was led by two of Japan’s premier young players is no coincidence. FCT have built their team to unlock Matsuki and Araki in dangerous attacking positions.

Matsuki has stepped up as a true leader this season at the capital club, now wearing the captain's armband after joining the team in 2022 instead of making the jump straight to Europe. The 20-year-old starlet has lived up to the hype and then some, now acting as the fulcrum of a re-engineered midfield in Tokyo.

Araki has been terrific as well, shining in his first season in the capital. The 22-year-old forward is second in J1 with five goals and has shown himself to be a constant threat, be it on the ball or crashing the box.

The problem for Tokyo is Araki is at the club on loan from Kashima Antlers, so he won’t be able to play this weekend. That puts the onus on the rest of the team to make up for the star forward’s absence and give Matsuki options in front.

Kashima’s defense will be happy not to face Araki and they will be confident in their rearguard, which has only allowed four goals in their first six matches. Unfortunately, they've had troubles on the other end of the pitch, with just three goals across their last four games.

The trio of Yuma Suzuki, Aleksandar Čavrić and Hayato Nakama have done their part, with two goals apiece this season, but they need more support. The talent is there, with the likes of Kei Chinen and Shoma Doi part of a dynamic squad that Antlers have put together, and the expectations are high in Kashima as always.

The Antlers are in fifth place, but just three points off the top and a win over FC Tokyo could launch them right into the thick of the title fight.

Will they be able to manage it against an Araki-less FC Tokyo? Or will Matsuki lead his side to three points at the Japan National Stadium for the second time this week?

Head to JLeague.co or your local broadcaster on Sunday at 17:00 JST and watch the J.League Match of the Week to find out!