Controversial J-League opener ends in pitch invasion

TOKYO (Reuters) - The traditional curtain-raiser to the Japanese season ended in scenes of chaos on Saturday with angry fans storming the pitch after a controversial penalty shootout.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima beat J-League champions Kashima Antlers 4-3 on penalties after the referee had twice allowed them to retake missed spot kicks.

Around 100 fans invaded the pitch at Tokyo's National Stadium to protest while Hiroshima's players celebrated a rare trophy for the second division side.

Referee Masaaki Iemoto, known for being quick to brandish cards, sent off two players in regulation time and another in the melee following the penalty shootout.

He also disallowed two Kashima goals for good measure in a game the Antlers effectively threw away after goals from Masashi Motoyama and Takuya Nozawa had given them a 2-0 lead.

But substitute Tatsuhiko Kubo gave Hiroshima a lifeline, blasting home from the spot in the 81st minute after Iemoto had again demanded a retake.

Sanfrecce striker Hisato Sato then stunned the favourites when his late header crept inside the post to force the penalty shootout.

As Kashima players remonatrated furiously with Iemoto, the referee booked goalkeeper Hitoshi Sogahata and Masaki Chugo and flashed a third red card at Go Oiwa.