Gamba lost consecutive league matches after conceding a painful goal in the closing minutes of the away game against Kobe. At the end of May, they will face Kawasaki F and Kashima, but the match they should gain momentum for is the 3rd Leg match of the 1st Round of the J.LEAGUE YBC Levain CUP against Iwata.
"If we win this game, it will be a positive thing for the situation and bring a sense of security to the team," said Head Coach Poyatos. Gamba is taking on an important match that will determine their advancement to the playoff round if they win, but with a consecutive match coming up, including an away game against Kawasaki F in four days, they will be putting all their effort into this match.
Suzuki, who was suspended for the Kobe match, said, "I want to do what I have to do and win. It's a cup match, so winning is the most important thing, and if we beat Iwata, we'll get into rhythm. Winning will help us get into good form in the league."

Gamba has placed a great deal of emphasis on ball possession this season, but at the same time they have also shown the versatility to launch sharp counterattacks depending on the characteristics of the opponent and the players on the pitch, but what will be particularly important in the match against Iwata is a common understanding.
This season, they have scored the opening goal in all of their official victories, but "everyone knows that scoring the opening goal is important in soccer. I want to fight while being conscious of whether I should go for the goal or defend," said Higashiguchi, who has been in goal in two J.LEAGUE YBC Levain CUP matches.
"Iwata is a team not to be underestimated. If they get into a bad rhythm, they will be defeated," said Head Coach Poyatos, expressing his caution. However, Iwata, who are competing in J2, are in good form and are currently on a three-game winning streak. They are playing in this season's J.LEAGUE YBC Levain CUP with a turnover of players, but in the 2nd Leg they won the Shizuoka Derby against Shimizu 2-1, so their strength is still something to be wary of.

Gamba has a good record against Iwata, having not lost in seven official matches, but this season Iwata, under Head Coach JOHN HUTCHINSON , who led Yokohama F･Marinos until last season, is aiming for an offensive style. In the match against Mito, despite creating multiple scoring opportunities, the game went into extra time, so Kishimoto emphasized, "First of all, we need to get off to a good start. Then, if we score when we need to, and play our own style of football, we can win."

Iwata, currently 6th in J2, has a number of accomplished foreign players such as Matheus Vieira Campos Peixoto(MATHEUS PEIXOTO) and JORDY CROUX, and 18-year-old Kawai, who is the Kindergarten Junior Class player in the club's history to make his J-League debut, is sure to come out highly motivated to challenge Gamba.
Suzuki, who is supposed to be an attacking football player, said, "First, we need to form a block and not let the other team score. It's important to attack with defense as a foundation." He wants to patiently control his team until he can take the initiative.
The ideal situation would be to break down the opponent in the flow of the game, but in a cup match, you need to play soccer to win. "It's important for everyone to score goals," said Suzuki.
Without any careless conceding, they broke open the Iwata goal. With everyone on the pitch looking in the same direction, Gamba grabbed the victory.