Gamba Osaka came into this match against in-form Sanfrecce Hiroshima and ran out easy winners, by a score of 2-0, but it could have been more. Manager Tomohiro Katanosaka started with three back line-up with Keisuke Kurokawa and Kosuke Onose as the all-important wide midfielders. Isa Sakamoto and Hiroto Yamami both started in the attacking area, as Gamba threw youth in to the mix.

The game started well for Gamba with Yamami sprinting to a through ball, but just being beaten to it by the 'keeper, but the clearance fell kindly and, in the end Yamami's lob was headed off the line before that late offside call was given. Encouraging signs in the first 90 seconds.

Both teams then had half chances as they went looking for the opening goal, but that breakthrough came for the home team when Onose and Mitsuki Saito combined on the right for the latter to cross just out of the reach of the 'keeper, who could only palm it into the path of Kurokawa, who advanced and made no mistake, 1-0!

Gamba went 2-0 ahead seven minutes before the break after another fine passing move, down the left this time, and Kurokawa instrumental in it. His pass across the edge of the area creating space and splitting the defence before he received a return past and stroked the ball against the post! But this was not the end of the move and the ball was recycled towards Hideki Ishige who shot from the edge of the area. That was blocked, but the ball fell to Sakamoto - still with so much to do - but his turn, control and final shot all belied his inexperience, and Gamba were 2-0 up at the break.

Despite being two goals clear the men in blue and black came out looking for more goals in the 2nd half, with Kwon Kyung-won coming close from distance minutes into the half. Meanwhile Sanfrecce had to look for a way back into the game but all they could muster were an off target header from a free kick and a distant shot well wide as the clock hit 73 minutes. Onose thought he had made it 3-0 with 10 minutes to go when Gamba's passing and movement completely opened up the defence, but Keisuke Osako saved his team from further embarrassment with a fine save down to his left.

And so, the score remained 2-0 and a well deserved, but vital win for Gamba Osaka.

Team - Higashiguchi, Fukuoka (Shoji, 75), Miura, Kwon, Onose, Saito, Dawhan, Kurokawa (Fujiharu, 61), Yamami (Kurata, 51), Ishige (Takao, 61), Sakamoto (Patric, 75)


Scorers;
Keisuke KUROKAWA, 36'
Isa SAKAMOTO 39'

Attendance - 6,703