GAMBA OSAKA , who have been fighting fiercely to reach the top of ACL2, will take on their strongest rival in a major match. The players have been running alongside Head Coach Vissing, carrying the baton inherited from former Head Coach Poyatos. For Gaku NAWATA, who showed signs of awakening with a total of 3 goals including his first professional goal, this Asian tournament, his first as a professional, has shown a glimpse of his potential.

Only a very small number of J.League clubs get to experience playing on an international stage like ACL II. I'm truly grateful to my teammates and Gamba Osaka for giving me this opportunity in my first year as a professional. While I've played in Asian tournaments with youth national teams before, it's incomparable to ACL II. Every match was incredibly tense, and playing away with a larger opposing team's crowd created a unique atmosphere. Since turning professional, I've only experienced a few thrilling matches like that, so being able to participate in an international tournament like ACL II is a huge advantage. The important thing now is how I use this experience to move forward. I'm confident that I can showcase my abilities in the next thrilling match, and I've gained confidence in my own game.

I want to contribute to the team by demonstrating my strengths. Although I've only scored three goals so far, I think that feeling is reflected in my results. However, to be honest, I'm not at all satisfied with my contributions so far, and I want to contribute even more. I feel that the only thing I was able to do for the team was in the quarter-final home game against Ratchaburi FC, so I still feel my contribution is insufficient.

The best match was the 1st Leg against Ratchaburi FC at home.

I have different feelings about each of the matches in this tournament where I scored, but my best match was definitely the 1st Leg of the quarter-final at home against Ratchaburi FC. However, I also think the 2nd Leg of the quarter-final away was one of the best matches of the season, and it left a strong impression on me. I was brought on when the score was tied, and I was able to play in WELTON's winning goal, and I was conscious of how the game would unfold from there. I still believe I can contribute to the team and have the ability to show more, so I don't really want to call it my best game, but I think I've been gradually improving since the Ratchaburi FC match, including the home game where I scored.
Having experienced ACL2, I feel that the J.League is superior in terms of the level of play and intensity. However, I do have the impression that there is more space available in ACL2 matches, and I personally find it easier to utilize space effectively. On the other hand, I feel that the individual strength in one-on-one situations and the reach of opposing players are different from the J.League. In the J.League, you play against compact opponents, but in ACL2, they have their wingers spread wide, with a few players attacking individually in the front and several players defending in the back. Personally, I find ACL2 easier to play in, but conversely, having experienced ACL2 has also made me realize that I need to be more individualally proactive.
Of course, it's great for the team to have beaten Bangkok United and reached the final, but when I look back as an individual player, there's still a long way to go, and I didn't even get to play in the semi-final, so this result isn't good enough. My goals are high, so I'm never satisfied, and I always work hard with the belief that I can do more. In matches like ACL2, where every goal is important, I want to show my clutch performance. I think the Head Coach will want to use a player like that when the team is in a tough spot. I want to be that kind of player.

We are challengers. Victory won't come without taking on challenges.

I think the atmosphere of the final will be completely different from when I won the AFC U17 Asian Cup with the U17 Japan national team. I'm looking forward to it, and I'm incredibly excited for the final. Cristiano Ronaldo is a world-class player. I want to actually face him on the pitch, and there are a lot of good players in the DF line as well. I want to find out what level I am among them, and how well I can perform, and I want to challenge them without being intimidated. To be honest, I'm in a position to challenge, so once I'm on the pitch, I intend to go all out.
It's not every day you get to experience a final in Saudi Arabia, a completely away game, in your second year as a professional, and I know that not everyone gets to play in an Asian tournament final for their club. Al Nassr is at the same level as teams that play in the ACLE, and I believe that we at Gamba also have the strength to compete in the ACLE. This final will be a new chapter in Gamba's history, but we are the challengers. Victory won't come without a challenge, and every player feels that way. We want to keep taking the initiative, and although there will be times when we are pushed back because the opponent has many good players, we want to focus on playing our own style of football and continuing to attack. I also want to create some scoring opportunities and keep making moves. I believe that I've increased my value through creative play, so I will play with confidence in front of goal. I have a strong desire to make a big impact in this final, and although I don't know what the atmosphere in the stadium will be like, I think I can enjoy myself even in a completely away game. This is my first final as a professional, and it's a final in a fantastic tournament against a fantastic opponent, so I intend to make an impact when I step onto the pitch.