Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Osaka: Gamba Osaka were crowned J.League champions for only the second time in their history on Saturday as a nervy title chase went down to the wire in Japan.
Gamba’s 0-0 draw at relegated Tokushima Vortis was enough to see them finish top, a meagre one point ahead of second-placed Urawa Reds who slumped to a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Nagoya Grampus.
Kashima Antlers, who could also have won the title, finished third after losing 1-0 to Sagan Tosu.
The victory seals a remarkable recovery by 2008 AFC Champions League winners Gamba who were in the J.League relegation zone before this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
Having already claimed this season’s J.League Cup thanks to November’s 3-2 win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Gamba have the chance of sealing a domestic treble when they take on Montedio Yamagata in the Emperor’s Cup final on December 13.
Photo: AFP