Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Matsumoto: Following their late drama in their AFC Champions League 2015 quarter-final victory over Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors last week, Gamba Osaka again needed a stoppage-time goal to avoid defeat as last year’s Japanese treble winners returned to domestic duty with a 1-1 draw at Matsumoto Yamaga.
Gamba, who defeated the 2006 ACL champions 3-2 thanks to Koki Yonekura’s winner three minutes into stoppage time, found themselves a goal down in their first J.League match since reaching the final four of the continent’s premier club competition, when Brazilian striker Obina put Matsumoto Yamaga 1-0 up just seven minutes into their J.League second stage Round 11 encounter.
The former Shandong Luneng striker’s early goal looked to have consigned Gamba to their second defeat of the second stage until three minutes into second-half stoppage time when Shu Kurata (pictured), who scored a spectacular effort in the win over Jeonbuk, kept his cool to convert from the penalty spot and earn Kenta Hasegawa’s side a share of the spoils.
Gamba are currently fifth in the J.League standings with 19 points, one behind both 2007 ACL champions Urawa Reds and Kashiwa Reysol, who bowed out of this year’s AFC Champions League following a 4-2 aggregate defeat to Guangzhou Evergrande.
Gamba will face the four-time Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou in the first leg of their semi-final showdown on September 30 when the 2008 ACL champions travel to China before welcoming the 2013 AFC Champions League winners for the return leg at the Expo ’70 Stadium on October 21.
Photo: WSG