Gamba Osaka went into this game with near-neighbour Kyoto Sanga looking for the win that would kick start their J1 season and take them away from the bottom, and ended with an undeserved defeat, and a very debatable red card for Kwon Kyung-won, to run salt into the festering wound.

The game began well for the away team, with plenty of possession and, in the 9th minute Yuya Fukuda forced the first of many saves needed by the Kyoto Sanga 'keeper, with a right foot shot, after a fast break through the middle of the field by Juan Alano and Jebali found the left-side open for Fukuda to use. But it was Sanga who truck the first blow, Kwon allowing a low right foot cross to pass him, and Juan Alano allowing his player to break away unmarked to finish - Yuta Toyokawa poking home from close range in the 22nd minute.

Gamba replied in style, however, with Hideki Ishige's textbook half volley from distance leveling the score, the Gamba number 48 unleashing an unstoppable drive from outside the area as he latched onto a clearance. A goal worth remembering by a player who deserves all the praise he gets after years of injuries stalling his career (see his story elsewhere on the site). Dawhan should have then given Gamba the lead they deserved just before the break, but headed Fukuda's cross wide when it seemed easier to score, but the score remained 1-1 at the break.

The 2nd half saw two hard-working teams cancel each other out, as a midfield battle ensued, with little to report at either end, until former Gamba hero, Patric, turned villain and his somewhat fortunate finish (through the legs of Kosei Tani) gave Sanga a 2-1 win, his left-foot shot on the turn coming after Genta Miura was robbed of the ball deep in his own half.

Team - Tani, Handa, Miura, Kwon, Lavi, Dawhan (R.Yamamoto, 82'), Ishige (Usami, 66'), Alano, Fukuda (Sugiyama, 76'), Jebali (Suzuki, 82')

SCORER: Hideki ISHIGE, 37'