Shimizu S-Pulse 1–2 Gamba Osaka
Meiji Yasuda J1 Hyakunen Koso League — WEST, Matchweek 18 (Final Round) 24 May 2026 | Japan National Stadium (MUFG Stadium), Tokyo
Before the Match: A Historic Night Still Fresh — and One Last Group Game
Just eight days ago, Gamba Osaka travelled to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and made history.
In the final of the AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2) — Asia’s second-tier continental club competition, roughly equivalent to the UEFA Europa League — they faced Al-Nassr, a side featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mané, and João Félix. Playing in a completely hostile away environment, Gamba scored through Deniz Hümmet and held on for a 1–0 win. It was the club’s 10th major title, and the first time a Japanese club had ever lifted the ACL2 trophy.
Eight days is barely enough time to celebrate, let alone fully recover — but Gamba showed up. After returning home for a victory celebration with supporters, they were quickly back on the pitch. Today’s match against Shimizu S-Pulse was the final game of the group stage, one week before the playoff round begins.
The venue was not Shimizu’s usual home ground, IAI Stadium Nihondaira in Shizuoka. Instead, it was held at the Japan National Stadium (also known as MUFG Stadium) in Tokyo — a special stage for a special occasion.
Starting Line-Up: Two Changes from the ACL2 Final
Head coach Jens Wissing made two changes from the team that started the ACL2 final.
Takashi Usami came in for Issam Jebali in the forward line. Ginjiro Ikegaya replaced Takeru Kishimoto at right back.
On the bench, three first-year professionals were included in the squad: Yuki Yoshihara, Taisei Tono, and Tensho Yamamoto. Shogo Sasaki, returning from a long spell on the injured list, was also back in the squad.
First Half: Injuries and Rough Tackles Tell the Story
The match started as an open game. Both teams attacked from the beginning. But it did not take long for injuries and foul play to interrupt the flow.
14th minute. Gamba midfielder Rin Mifuji made a reckless tackle on Shimizu midfielder Zento Uno and received a yellow card. Uno later had to leave the pitch with an injury. Mifuji has the talent to become one of the top midfielders in the J1 League — but unnecessary fouls like this keep getting in the way of that potential.
Note: Dangerous tackles like this are punished strictly in J1 League matches. The refereeing standard is noticeably different from the Saudi Pro League, which Gamba experienced during the ACL2.
29th minute. Bad news for Gamba. Ryotaro Meshino pulled up with a problem in his right hamstring and was replaced by Welton. It has been a long season, with a demanding run across Asia on top of it. How the coaching staff manages player rotation will continue to be a valid question.
34th minute. Gamba created a good chance. Deniz Hümmet hit a powerful shot, but Shimizu’s goalkeeper saved it well.
47th minute (first-half stoppage time). Shimizu almost scored. A cross reached tall striker Oh Se-hun, who connected with a header — but the ball went wide. Gamba were fortunate.
The first half ended 0–0. Injuries and fouls were the main story of those 45 minutes.
Second Half: A Goal, an Instant Reply, and a Dramatic Winner
There were no changes at half-time, and Shimizu kept control of the game.
58th minute. Yutaka Yoshida delivered a cross, and substitute Masaki Yumiba — freshly on the pitch — headed in perfectly. Shimizu took the lead.
Gamba responded immediately. Wissing brought on Harumi Minamino and Gaku Nawata. Takashi Usami and Ryoya Yamashita came off.
61st minute. Just three minutes later, Gamba were level. Ryo Hatsuse delivered a cross from the left, and Minamino headed it in cleanly. A goal straight after coming on — he was the best player on the pitch today.
69th minute. Welton played in Hümmet, who fired another powerful shot. The goalkeeper saved it again.
72nd minute. Gamba’s best defensive moment of the match. Shimizu shot from inside the penalty area — the zone directly in front of goal — but centre-back Rui Araki closed down quickly and blocked it.
75th minute. The winning goal came in an unusual way. Nawata played a sharp, low cross from the right. Minamino’s first touch was slightly off, and the ball deflected off Shimizu defender Yutaka Yoshida and crept into the net. Football rarely cares about aesthetics, and Gamba will not be losing sleep over it. The goal was officially recorded as Minamino’s — his 8th of the tournament — rather than an own goal. Gamba led 2–1.
83rd minute. Hümmet and Noritomo Suzuki came off. Tensho Yamamoto and Shinya Nakano came on. Nakano took the left wing position. Yamamoto dropped into the defensive midfielder role — the player who sits in front of the back line and shields the defence. Welton moved to right wing, and Nawata shifted to the attacking midfielder position behind the strikers.
Shimizu pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing minutes. Gamba held their shape and defended well. There were only five minutes of stoppage time — the extra time added at the end for delays and stoppages — and Gamba saw it out.
It was their first win inside 90 minutes in three games. They took three points and confirmed 5th place in the WEST group, earning a spot in the playoff round.
What Is the J1 Hyakunen Koso League?
The “J1 Hyakunen Koso League” (J1 100-Year Vision League) is a special one-off tournament held in 2026.
The J1 League is changing its season calendar. For many years, the season ran from February to December — the same as most Asian leagues. From the 2026–27 season onward, it will follow the European model and run from August to May. This special tournament bridges that gap, giving all 20 J1 clubs meaningful competition during the first half of 2026.
The 20 clubs are split into two groups of ten: EAST and WEST. Each club plays 18 group stage matches — home and away against the other nine teams in its group.
With Matchweek 18 now complete, the group stage is over for all clubs.
Next comes the playoff round. Clubs with the same final group stage ranking from EAST and WEST will face each other in a two-legged tie — one home game and one away game — to decide the overall final standings of the tournament.
Next Match: Gamba Osaka vs. Tokyo Verdy
Gamba Osaka (5th, WEST) will face Tokyo Verdy (5th, EAST) in the playoff round.
Some supporters had hoped Gamba might be drawn against long-standing rivals Urawa Red Diamonds, but Urawa lost their final group stage matches and finished in a different position, sending them to a separate playoff bracket.
The first legs are scheduled for Saturday 30 May and Sunday 31 May. The second legs will follow on Saturday 6 June and Sunday 7 June.
After the Hyakunen Koso League concludes, the J.League All-Star Game will take place, and then the brand-new J1 2026–27 season kicks off under the new August-to-May calendar. Japanese football is stepping into a new era.
Match details: Shimizu S-Pulse 1–2 Gamba Osaka Goals: Masaki Yumiba 58′ / Harumi Minamino 61′, 75′ Venue: Japan National Stadium (MUFG Stadium), Tokyo | Attendance: Not yet announced
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