Patric was next to have a pop, sending a 20-yard drive just over the bar after good work from Usami created space on the edge of the area. The breakthrough eventually came in the form of an Ademilson penalty kick, when Hirotaka Mita handled the ball, and Gamba's plucky Brazilian converted with aplomb. 1-0 at half time.
Gamba came out looking for more goals, as is their way - no chance of actually sitting on a lead in this team - and Usami flicked on a near post Ademilson cross in the first minute of the 2nd half, but the 'keeper was down on it to smother the chance, then, just after the hour mark Ademilson created his own space on the left channel to shoot but the shot was deflected for one of numerous Gamba corners.
In the 69th minute, with Gamba running the show, Leandro lost patience and swung a left hook into the face of Yuki Yamamoto. The officials apparently did not see the incident, but the J.League later banned the offender for three matches, for this and a later elbow into the face of Kim Young-gwon.
Late substitute Kiichi Yajima came closest for the home team, with a shot on the turn in additional time that, if it had gone in would have been very unjust, but Masaaki Higashiguchi in the Gamba goal was equal to it, an the points were confirmed!
Team - Higashiguchi, Takao, Shoji, Kim, Fukuda, Yamamoto, Ideguchi, Kurata, Ademilson (Onose, 75), Patric, Usami (Watanabe, 75)
Goal - ADEMILSON 41'