After a 1-1 draw in the last group game, away at Oita Trinita, it was clear where Tsuneyasu Miyamoto's managerial priorities lay with Gamba Osaka, as the team he sent out for this final Levain Cup group stage match was nothing short of amazing. Basically, the J3 Under 23 team were selected for this encounter, and what a game they had, and it certainly became a night to remember for 17-year-old Shoji Toyama, who announced his presence on the big stage with a two-goal haul to give the away team an impressive 2-1 win.
A closer look will show that Gamba scored two goals from their three goal attempts and the opposition racked up nine corners, while Gamba had none, but Toyama finished his chances, got his brace and Gamba's kids walked away winners in a famous encounter that people will talk about for a long time.
The opening goal of the game came from an in-swinging free kick from the right wing that actually found a bounce in the area and Toyama came in and headed home as the ball was bounding back up - a very clinical, yet unusual finish. 1-0! Minutes later the home team were level as Gamba 'keeper Kei Ishikawa did well on the first header down low, but could not keep the follow-up out as Naoki Yamada swung a high boot (many referees may well have given a foul for dangerous play!) to guide the ball home. 1-1.
Gamba were ahead again before half time when a slick passing move saw Daisuke Takagi in space, but he chose to pull the ball back across the box for Toyama to finish with aplomb. 2-1, half time.
The 2nd half saw Gamba(s youngsters under pressure and there were some fine defensive tackles and blocks to keep the team ahead and the onslaught was survived to give Gamba the win to celebrate.
Team - Ishikawa, Suganuma, Kurokawa (Yamaguchi, 74), Jefferson, Matsuda, Fukuda (Ichimaru, 74), Okuno, Yamamoto (Tsukamoto, 85), Kawasaki (Shibamoto, 74), Takagi, Toyama
Goals:
Shoji TOYAMA 12', 39'
A closer look will show that Gamba scored two goals from their three goal attempts and the opposition racked up nine corners, while Gamba had none, but Toyama finished his chances, got his brace and Gamba's kids walked away winners in a famous encounter that people will talk about for a long time.
The opening goal of the game came from an in-swinging free kick from the right wing that actually found a bounce in the area and Toyama came in and headed home as the ball was bounding back up - a very clinical, yet unusual finish. 1-0! Minutes later the home team were level as Gamba 'keeper Kei Ishikawa did well on the first header down low, but could not keep the follow-up out as Naoki Yamada swung a high boot (many referees may well have given a foul for dangerous play!) to guide the ball home. 1-1.
Gamba were ahead again before half time when a slick passing move saw Daisuke Takagi in space, but he chose to pull the ball back across the box for Toyama to finish with aplomb. 2-1, half time.
The 2nd half saw Gamba(s youngsters under pressure and there were some fine defensive tackles and blocks to keep the team ahead and the onslaught was survived to give Gamba the win to celebrate.
Team - Ishikawa, Suganuma, Kurokawa (Yamaguchi, 74), Jefferson, Matsuda, Fukuda (Ichimaru, 74), Okuno, Yamamoto (Tsukamoto, 85), Kawasaki (Shibamoto, 74), Takagi, Toyama
Goals:
Shoji TOYAMA 12', 39'