On 6 May, the AFC Champions League (ACL) 2015 finished the second day of the group stage’s matchday 6. Gamba Osaka in Group F came back from behind and grabbed a 2-1 victory against Seongnam FC (KOR), who had been already with the spot in the next round. The win brought Gamba the record of 3-2-1 in the group and the first berth in the knockout stage in four years.

Kashiwa Reysol, who had already secured the round of 16 advancement before the match, recorded the first loss in this tournament to Binh Duong (VIE) in Vietnam and finished the group stage phase with 3-1-2 record.

The other fixture in Group F, where Gamba Osaka belonged, saw Buriram United (THA) beat Guangzhou R&F (CHN) 5-0 and as a result, Gamba, Seongnam and Buriram all tied with 10 points. But thanks to the head-to-head results among three clubs, Gamba were awarded with first place in the group.

Prior to the match, Gamba Osaka were in the situation where they would have to rely solely on the outcome of Buriram’s match unless Gamba won their own. They got into a tougher hole when they allowed the opening goal to the opponents in the 15th minute.

Seongnam FC, also targeting to advance with the group’s first place, looked for opportunities to attack with aggressive defensive pressure on Gamba players and did not hesitate to shoot from long range. In the 15th minute, after taking the ball on the left flank, midfielder Kim Cheolho took it up and sent a pass up front. Forward Hwang Ui Jo caught it and passed by Gamba defence to the right before struck a strong right-footed shot for the opener.

Gamba were so shorthanded with a suspension to midfielder Omori Kotaro and injuries to multiple players that midfielder Ogura Shohei had to play the right fullback position, which was unusual for him. They really struggled to create their offensive rhythm in the first half.

Seongnam repeatedly threatened Gamba’s goal, notably in the 22nd minute and a few minutes before the end of the first half, but Gamba’s defence led by goalkeeper Higashiguchi Masaaki kept throwing their bodies around to save the goal until the opening half ended 0-1.

Gamba, trailing by one goal, started the second half with a few crucial moments, taking advantage of the signature forward duo of Usami Takashi and Patric and multiple shots fired by them.

Moments past the 55th minute mark, Gamba’s bench started making moves. Defender Iwashita Keisuke was sent onto the pitch for midfielder Ogura, who was trying his best at an unaccustomed position, to strengthen the right flank defence. Also in the 58th minute, forward Lins Lima de Brito replaced midfielder Futagawa Takahiro, who made his first official match start this season. The substitution apparently accelerated their attacks and increased the goal-scoring opportunities. 

In the 64th minute, Usami, who had 23th birthday on the day and would be selected as the most valuable player of the match later, sent a cross from the left flank. Although Patric at far side was not able to reach the ball with his stretched foot, the ball directly went into the goal to be a fortunate equaliser.

Gamba’s head coach Hasegawa in the 75th minute sent midfielder Kurata Shu onto the pitch for defender Fujiharu Hiroki to look for another goal. Then in the 82nd minute, Iwashita deflected with his head the cross by midfielder Endo Yasuhito from the left, and Lins Lima de Brito right in front of the goal somehow put the ball into the goal finally to gain the go-ahead lead.

This match marked Endo’s 41st appearance in the ACL matches, which renewed the record among Japanese players of the most appearance in the tournament to determine the best club in Asia.

Despite the early struggles of two straight losses in the tournament, Gamba gradually regained their form by drawing to Buriram on the road in the third match and winning two straight subsequent matches on the road, against Buriram and Guangzhou R&F. Finally with the home crowds of 12,821 watching, they wrapped out their group stage campaign with the third win in a row.

Meanwhile, Kashiwa Reysol with the round of 16 advancement already in place, faced Binh Duong (VIE) in Vietnam. The Vietnamese side had their chance to advance already disappeared. For the last match of the group, Kashiwa replaced the entire starting line-up from the one they employed in the J1 league match on 2 May. 18-year-old defender Nakayama Yuta, making the first career official-match start, the trio of 20-year-old midfielders Akino Hiroki, Kobayashi Yusuke and Nakagawa Masato, and forward Otsu Yuki who had been sidelined due to injury for over one month, were all on the field at the beginning of the match.

The first half finished scoreless for both sides, but in the 56th minute in the second half Kashiwa allowed Binh Duong forward Le Cong Vinh, a former Consadole Sapporo player, to take the lead 1-0 for his club. Kashiwa kept looking to fight back with midfielder Ota Tetsuro and forward Ukita Kensei coming off the bench later, but nothing worked in their favour until they recorded the first loss in this tournament.

The other match of the group had Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR) hold Shandong Luneng FC (CHN) 4-1 and finished the group stage phase at second place. Shandong were placed third as Binh Duong failed to move out of fourth place.

The round of 16, the first round in the knockout stage, will hold the first matches on 19 and 20 May and the seconds on 26 and 27. Gamba and Kashiwa, both finishing the respective group atop, play the first match on the road and the second at home. Gamba’s opponents have been determined as FC Seoul (KOR), Group H’s second-placed club, while Kashiwa take on Group G’s runners-up Suwon Samsung FC (KOR).

Head Coaches' Comments

HASEGAWA Kenta, Head Coach (Gamba Osaka)
Seongnam FC faced us with their strong mindset and plays, so we allowed the first lead to them. It was a tough situation, but players kept on believing until the final whistle that we would be able to win this match. Kashima have lost in the last match, so players thought no more J.League clubs can lose to K League teams. (After second consecutive defeat) we hit the rock bottom, but we defeated Buriram and Guangzhou on the road. We were able to continue the momentum to the win today. (The losses in the first two matches) reminded us of the fact that Asian football’s level has gotten improved. Players were not in the season yet, so we were not in good shape and prepared yet, however, players did their best in such a tough situation. I am proud of them.

KIM HAK BEOM , Head Coach(Seongnam FC)
Players did their best. Gamba are good team, and they played great in the two matches we had against them. We faced the match after analysing them thoroughly, but we couldn’t expect their strategy enough. We had some injuries, and it also affected the situation. After Hwang Ui Jo and Kim Taeyoun left, our defenders combination collapsed. We lost the match, but I am proud that we successfully passed the group stage. I think this is a new start.

AFC Champions League 2015

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