Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Osaka: Veteran midfielder Yasuhito Endo praised his Gamba Osaka team-mates for their resilience and determination after the J.League side came out on top of a thrilling AFC Champions League quarter-final second leg against Korea Republic’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motorson Wednesday to secure a place in the semi-finals.
Despite going behind to Leonardo’s 13th minute penalty, which ensured a draw would be enough for visitors Jeonbuk on the away goals rule, Gamba immediately drew level with Brazilian Patric equalising a minute later.
Shu Kurata’s spectacular strike with 14 minutes remaining then looked to give Gamba the win they needed on the night, but substitute Urko Vera flipped the scenario with an 88th minute equalisr to hand the advantage back to Jeonbuk.
However, Gamba were not to be denied a first appearance in the semi-finals since they lifted the title in 2008 and substitute Koki Yonekura fired past Jeonbuk goalkeeper Kwoun Sun-tae in the third minute of added time to send the home fans into delirium.
ACL QF 2nd Leg: Gamba Osaka 3-2 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (3-2 agg.)
“We showed great heart, spirit and stamina to get the win tonight, and even though it was a very tough match we never gave up. Now we can continue playing in such a prestigious tournament as the AFC Champions League, so obviously I’m delighted by the result,” said Endo, who was part of the side that defeated Australia’s Adelaide United in the 2008 final.
“Obviously, as a player, I don’t really want to experience such a dramatic game like this, I’d prefer an easier win, but I have experienced games like this in my long career before, and I know the fans will enjoy this.
“Getting to the final four was our original goal, and even though it was not a perfect performance tonight, we still got the victory we needed and this is really a great result for us.”
As well as playing a long ball that helped Hiroyuki Abe defeat Jeonbuk’s offside trap and lay the ball to Patric for Gamba’s first goal of the night, Endo also started the move that ended in Yonekura’s match-winner.
“I saw Yonekura was being unmarked, but there was another option to go to the side first, however I knew there was not enough time so I had to take a gamble and press forward,” added 2009 AFC Player of the Year Endo.
“I thought if I could just get the ball to him, something will happen. My pass was a little short but the ball got through to Yonekura and he finished very well and it was a great moment.”
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