Gamba Osaka went into the "battle-at-the-bottom" confidently and an early goal seemed to signal what was to come, but, in the end, it was just the single point taken, thanks to the goalkeeping, desperate defending and multiple strikes on the woodwork denying Gamba the win. The performance, the chances created, the overall play was deserving of much more, and the Gamba faithful should not be too down-hearted at the overall pattern of the game, but can be very disappointed at the final score.

Possession was high, space was made, and the only surprise was that it took until the 13th minute to open the scoring, Takashi Usami - back at his best after injury - placing the ball in at the far post after Juan Alano's left-wing cross was left cleverly by Jebali for Usami to score.

Yokohama FC then hit a post, though Kosei Tani has the shot covered, before they managed an unlikely equaliser through Boniface Nduka who headed home from within a melee of players to level the score and see the game level at the half-time whistle.

The 2nd half was barely 90 seconds old when away 'keeper Svend Brodersen made the first of many second-period saves, this one denying Dawhan from point blank range, his defenders ensuring the follow-up was blocked, also.
Gamba continued to dictate the pace of the game but the away goal led a charmed life, and Brodersen and his defence managed to block all efforts, with the help of the framework of the goal! The 73rd minute saw Jebali denied and then Usami's follow-up sail just over the bar, then another Usami effort was deflected onto the crossbar as the away team desperately fought to keep a point. Usami hit the bar again minutes later after good work by Hiroto Yamami on the left.

It got even more frustrating for Usami in the 87th minute as his right foot shot from outside the area his the post with the goalkeeper helpless, and then Yamami hit the same post minutes later as the game moved into additional time. Brodersen still had time to deny Yamami again and earn his team a barely-deserved point, which kept Gamba frustrated and still in deep at the bottom of J1.

Team - Tani, Handa (Takao, 76'), Miura, Fukuoka, Kurokawa, Lavi, Dawhan (Dawhan, 87'), Usami, Sugiyama (Yamami, 69'), Juan Alano, Jebali

SCORER: Takashi USAMI (13')

Attendance: 14,577