Japan Football(Soccer) Guide Blog

Category: Match Reports

  • The Calm Before the Storm — Gamba Osaka Fall 0–1 to Hiroshima, but Their Eyes Are Already on Riyadh

    Meiji Yasuda J1 League 100 Year Vision League (Japan’s top professional football division) — Matchday 16 Gamba Osaka 0–1 Sanfrecce Hiroshima May 10, 2026 / Panasonic Stadium Suita, Osaka Goal: Shunki Higashi (Hiroshima) 68′

    The End of Eleven Straight Games

    With this match, Gamba Osaka completed a gruelling run of eleven games in a row.

    🗒️ New to Japanese football? Japanese clubs compete in the J1 League, the Emperor’s Cup (Japan’s national knockout cup), the Levain Cup (Japan’s league cup), and Asian club competitions. This often creates a very busy schedule, similar to top clubs in Europe.

    Two of those eleven games were the semi-final legs of the AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2).

    🗒️ What is ACL2? The AFC Champions League 2 is an international club competition run by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). It is the second-tier club competition in Asia. The top tier is called the AFC Champions League Elite.

    Gamba went unbeaten through all six group stage matches in the ACL2. They then defeated Pohang Steelers (South Korea), Ratchaburi FC (Thailand), and Bangkok United (Thailand) in the knockout rounds. They have now reached the final — their first Asian final in 18 years, since winning the AFC Champions League in 2008.

    But the cost has been high. League results have suffered, and more seriously, injuries have been piling up.

    The Injury List and Today’s Starting XI

    These players are currently out injured:

    • Riku Handa (right back) — out for an extended period
    • Shuto Abe (central midfielder) — continuing to miss matches
    • Issam Jebali (striker) — was on the bench last match, but not in the squad today
    • Welton (left winger) — started today on the bench
    • Takeru Kishimoto (right back) — returned to the starting XI today

    Takashi Usami, who has recently come back from injury, is also not yet at his best.

    Today’s starting XI for Gamba:

    PositionPlayers
    GKRui Araki
    DEF (back four)Takeru Kishimoto (right back), Shinnosuke Nakatani, Genta Miura (centre backs), Shinya Nakano (left back)
    MIDTokuma Suzuki, Takato Yamamoto (double pivot / two defensive midfielders), Kanji Okunuki
    FWDRyotaro Meshino (attacking midfielder), Ryoya Yamashita, Deniz Hümmet (centre forward)

    With Shuto Abe still out, young Takato Yamamoto finally earned his first league start as a deep-lying defensive midfielder.

    First Half — Hiroshima Take Control, Gamba Hold On

    Just three minutes in, Ryoya Yamashita played a clever through ball for Deniz Hümmet, who finished — but the goal was ruled out for offside.

    After that, Gamba struggled to play out from the back against Hiroshima’s aggressive high press. Hiroshima gradually took control of the game and spent long periods of time inside Gamba’s half.

    In the 27th minute, Gamba goalkeeper Rui Araki had to rush off his line to deal with a rebound from a Hiroshima shot, but managed to clear his lines.

    The first real chance of the match came in the 39th minute. Hümmet received a pass from Yamashita and shot. Kanji Okunuki was first to the rebound, but his effort went wide.

    The first half ended goalless.

    Second Half — One Moment of Confusion Decides the Game

    At the start of the second half, Gamba replaced Okunuki with Harumi Minamino. It was a tactical change to alter their attacking shape.

    In the 49th minute, Hiroshima’s Hayao Kawabe fouled Minamino during a dribble and was shown a yellow card.

    Hiroshima’s coaching staff also made changes, bringing on Ryo Germain and Akito Suzuki to increase pressure on Gamba’s goal.

    In the 59th minute, Yamashita turned Hiroshima defender Sho Sasaki well and shot, but Hiroshima goalkeeper Keisuke Osako blocked it.

    In the 65th minute, Takashi Usami came on in place of Hümmet.

    Then came the 68th minute — and the decisive moment of the match.

    A Hiroshima through ball released Akito Suzuki inside the box. Gamba centre back Genta Miura moved to block, expecting goalkeeper Rui Araki to cover behind him. But Suzuki slipped his foot between Miura and Araki to get a touch on the ball. The loose ball fell to Shunki Higashi, who calmly slid it home. Hiroshima were ahead.

    It was a tiny breakdown in the understanding that Araki and Miura had built up across all those weeks of matches — and it cost Gamba everything.

    More Injuries and Difficult Substitutions

    Shortly after the goal, Takato Yamamoto — making his first league start — was hurt in a challenge and had to leave the pitch.

    Gamba brought on Ryo Hatsuse and Welton, and also replaced Shinya Nakano. When Hatsuse held up one finger on the pitch, it suggested the team had shifted to a single pivot — a system using just one defensive midfielder in front of the defence, instead of two.

    In the 79th minute, Ryotaro Meshino went off with pain in his left thigh. Shu Kurata came on in his place.

    In the 83rd and 93rd minutes, Takeru Kishimoto drove forward from the right side with energy, but his final efforts were blocked by Hiroshima’s defenders and goalkeeper.

    The final whistle blew. Hiroshima won 1–0.

    The Manager’s Decisions and the Injury Cycle

    There is some criticism of Head Coach Jens Wissing’s approach. The concern is that he tends to push players to their absolute limit before resting them — and injuries often arrive before the rest does. Today, the injury list grew again.

    You have to feel for these players. After eleven straight matches, most of them have barely had time to breathe, let alone recover properly.

    How much is it really possible to manage player fatigue during a packed schedule? It is a problem facing big clubs all around the world — and Gamba are no exception.

    Next Stop: Riyadh — The Biggest Match of All

    After the final whistle, the squad gathered on the pitch for a send-off event. Everyone’s focus is now on the major match ahead, which kicks off in the early hours of May 17 (Japan time).

    AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2) Final Gamba Osaka vs Al Nassr May 16, 2026 (local time) / King Saud University Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Al Nassr are a squad full of world-class players. They include Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Sadio Mané (Senegal), João Félix (Portugal), Kingsley Coman (France), and Marcelo Brozović (Croatia). In this tournament’s group stage, they won all six matches, scoring 22 goals and conceding just two.

    There is actually a historical connection between Gamba and Ronaldo. After winning the AFC Champions League in 2008, Gamba Osaka competed in the FIFA Club World Cup. In the semi-final, they faced Manchester United — the club where Ronaldo was playing at the time. Ronaldo started the match and scored. Gamba lost. Eighteen years later, history has a funny way of bringing old rivals back together — this time, at a different stage and in a different competition.

    The key question before the final is whether Jebali and Abe will be fit to play. Despite the injuries, Gamba aim to become the first Japanese club ever to win the ACL2.

    The match is available to watch on DAZN.

  • Gamba Osaka Crush J1.League Leader Vissel Kobe 5-0!

    J1 League (officially the Meiji Yasuda J1 Centennial League), Round 14 Gamba Osaka 5 – 0 Vissel Kobe Watched on: DAZN

    On May 2, 2026, Gamba Osaka beat the J1 League leader Vissel Kobe 5-0 at home. Honestly, calling this their best performance of the season isn’t a stretch.

    In the previous match, Gamba Osaka came back to level the score deep into stoppage time against Kyoto Sanga F.C. — but the match was ultimately decided by a penalty shoot-out, and Gamba lost.

    What is a penalty shoot-out in J1? In the MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE — the official name for Japan’s top-flight league, sponsored as part of a long-term project to develop football across the country over 100 years — some cup and playoff matches that finish level after 90 minutes go to a penalty shoot-out to decide the winner. Each team takes turns shooting from the penalty spot until one side scores more.

    That defeat has pushed Gamba one step back in the title race. Today, they face table-topping Vissel Kobe in a direct six-pointer — and honestly, this is as close to a must-win as it gets. If Gamba cannot take all three points, their hopes of winning the 100 Year Vision League title will be all but over for this season.

    Many Players Out, but the Team Still Worked

    Gamba was missing two key players: striker Issam Jebali and left winger Welton. The good news? Defensive midfielder Shuto Abe came back from injury, which gave the midfield more balance. Takashi Usami started as the attacking midfielder, and Harumi Minamino played as the lone center forward.

    First Half: Minamino and Hatsuse Make Things Happen

    Early on, GK Rui Araki made a strong save to stop a Kobe counter-attack. That helped Gamba take control of the game.

    22nd minute – Left back Ryo Hatsuse delivered a sharp cross. Minamino was waiting in the middle and headed it home. It was the opener. This was Minamino’s second goal in two games, and his fourth of the season.

    35th minute – Under pressure, Usami played a clever back-heel pass. Suddenly Ryotaro Meshino was one-on-one with the goalkeeper. But Kobe’s GK Daiya Maekawa blocked the shot.

    Right after that, Gamba had a corner kick. They played a short corner, and Hatsuse crossed it again. Captain Shinnosuke Nakatani knocked it back across the box, and center back Genta Miura headed it in with a back-header. 2-0. Gamba went into halftime with a comfortable lead.

    Second Half: Minamino Adds Another, and Hummet Seals It

    Kobe brought on top striker Yuya Osako and Matheus Thuler at the start of the second half.

    52nd minute – Usami dribbled past two defenders and slipped a pass to Hatsuse. Hatsuse delivered another precise cross, and Minamino headed it in again. 3-0. It was his second goal of the match — the first time he has scored more than once in a single game.

    In the 58th minute, Gamba subbed off Usami and Rin Mito, bringing on Kanji Okunuki and Tokuma Suzuki. Then right back Takeru Kishimoto had to come off after an accidental injury, so Ginjiro Ikegaya came on as an emergency substitute. The changes looked rushed, but the defense held firm.

    In the 68th minute, Yoshinori Muto fired off a powerful shot — and Araki blocked it with his face. He didn’t even flinch. The young keeper was rock-solid from start to finish.

    80th minute – On a counter-attack, Meshino played a pass forward. Substitute Deniz Hummet shot from the right side. The ball came loose, and Okunuki tapped it in. 4-0.

    82nd minute – Meshino won the ball and passed to Hummet, who slotted it straight into the goal. 5-0. With that strike, Hummet jumped to the top of the J1 scoring chart.

    Gamba saw out added time without trouble and finished with a 5-0 clean sheet (in football, “clean sheet” means not letting in any goals).

    Takeaways: Performance, Goals, and Defense — All Three Clicked

    This was the 9th match in a run of 11 games in a row. Gamba have used squad rotation to manage player fatigue, and still produced their best football of the season tonight. That’s worth highlighting. And the clean sheet — their first in a while — shows the defense is growing.

    Player of the Match goes to Minamino. Two goals, plus a clear pattern for how he wants to play in J1. Hatsuse was almost as influential — two assists, plus the cross that set up Miura’s goal. A close runner-up.

    When Jebali isn’t available, Gamba have struggled to find answers in attack. Tonight they found one: Usami quickly switches the play from side to side, and Minamino, who is stronger in the air, finishes off the cross. This combination should become a real weapon going forward.

    Looking Ahead

    Next up are two J1 League games in a row, against Nagoya and Hiroshima. Six days after that, Gamba face Saudi Arabian giants Al-Nassr in the AFC Champions League Elite final. (Quick note: the ACL Elite is the top club tournament in Asia — basically Asia’s version of the UEFA Champions League.) Can Gamba get through this stretch without picking up more injuries? Their depth and balance as a club will be put to the test.

  • J1 League – Matchweek 13

    Kyoto Sanga 1–1 (Penalty Shootout 4–3) Gamba Osaka

    April 29, 2026 | Sanga Stadium by KYOCERA, Kyoto

    Match Background

    Gamba Osaka currently have the busiest schedule in the J1 League. (The J1 League is the top division of professional football in Japan. It is officially called the “J1 100 Year Vision League,” a name taken from the Japan Football Association’s long-term plan to develop football across the country over 100 years.)

    They played both legs of the ACL2 semi-finals and now face more fixture congestion as they prepare for the final. (ACL2 stands for AFC Champions League Elite 2 — a continental club competition featuring top clubs from across Asia. Think of it as the Champions League for Asian football.)

    Starting Line-Ups and Key Points

    Gamba went into this match without three key players. Issam Jebali (centre-forward), Welton (winger), and Shuto Abe (central midfielder) all missed the game after being substituted with injuries in the previous match.

    Their replacements in the starting line-up were Takashi Usami, Kanji Okunuki, and Rin Mito. It was Usami’s first start since Matchweek 1. Shinya Nakano started at left back instead of Ryo Hatsuse.

    One player to watch closely: 18-year-old goalkeeper Rui Araki, who had kept a clean sheet in three consecutive matches going into this game.

    First Half: Kyoto in Control

    In the 1st minute, Gamba’s Deniz Hummet had the first shot of the match.

    After that, Kyoto took control of the game. They used lessons from the previous meeting between these two sides and pressed high up the pitch to disrupt Gamba’s build-up play — the process of moving the ball from defence into attack. Without Shuto Abe and Issam Jebali, two players central to Gamba’s midfield work and attacking threat, Gamba found it very hard to keep possession.

    In the 15th minute, Takashi Usami hit a direct left-footed volley, but it went just wide. In the 17th minute, Kyoto’s João Pedro ran forward on a counter-attack and shot, but Rui Araki made the save.

    The first half ended 0–0. Gamba stayed compact defensively and tried to find space by playing long balls in behind Kyoto’s defence.

    Second Half: Drama Unfolds

    Kyoto continued to win loose balls in the second half and kept threatening Gamba’s goal. Gamba looked for their chances on the counter-attack.

    In the 61st minute, Kyoto brought on Rafael Elias. The Brazilian striker gave Kyoto’s attack extra physicality and purpose.

    In the 69th minute, Gamba replaced Usami and Okunuki with Ryotaro Meshino and Harumi Minamino. Minamino moved into the centre-forward position. Hummet dropped back into the attacking midfielder role just behind him.

    In the 85th minute, Elias burst forward and fired a shot — but Araki gathered it comfortably.

    89th Minute: Kyoto Take the Lead

    Then Kyoto found the breakthrough, and honestly, it had been coming.

    In the 89th minute, Gamba lost the ball in a dangerous position. They left Kyoto midfielder Haruki Arai free in the space just in front of the penalty area — a zone every coach tells their players to protect. Arai struck a powerful shot into the net. Kyoto led 1–0.

    94th Minute: Gamba Equalise

    But the match was not over.

    In the 94th minute, Tokuma Suzuki delivered a free kick into the area. Kyoto goalkeeper Gakuji Ota could not hold the ball. Harumi Minamino was first to the rebound and scored to make it 1–1.

    VAR reviewed the goal. (VAR stands for Video Assistant Referee — a system that uses video footage to check goal decisions and fouls. It is used in top leagues around the world.) The goal was allowed to stand. Gamba’s Takeru Kishimoto had made contact with the goalkeeper, but the officials determined that he had been pulled back by an opponent before the contact happened.

    Penalty Shootout: Araki Fights Hard, but Gamba Lose

    Neither side scored in extra time. The match went to a penalty shootout.

    (Note: Regular J1 League matches do not go to penalty shootouts — league games that end in a draw simply finish as draws. The exact format of today’s match is unclear in the original report. In cup competitions and knockout-round matches, drawn games are decided by a penalty shootout.)

    You have to feel for Rui Araki — he saved two penalties and did everything right. However, Gamba’s Shinnosuke Nakatani (the third kick) and Ryoya Yamashita (the sixth kick) both missed.

    Kyoto’s seventh kicker scored to end the match. Gamba collected just one point — a draw.

    Post-Match Analysis

    Gamba’s biggest problem is not poor individual form. It is the structural gap caused by two key absences. Without Shuto Abe, the team loses its ability to win the ball in midfield and switch quickly from defence to attack. Without Issam Jebali, the team has no target man — a striker who can hold the ball in advanced positions and bring teammates into play. These are not short-term problems. They are structural weaknesses in the team.

    One possible solution: move central midfielder Tokuma Suzuki forward into a more attacking midfield role, and set up a double pivot — two defensive midfielders sitting side by side in the centre of the pitch — using Rin Mito and Shu Kurata.

    Next Match

    Gamba’s next league match is against Vissel Kobe on May 2. It is a must-win match if Gamba want to stay in the title race.

    That said, player fitness must come first. With the ACL2 Final still ahead of them, winning the Asian continental title is Gamba’s biggest goal this season — more important even than the league.

    Match report compiled from the original Japanese source. Player names verified via the official Gamba Osaka website (gamba-osaka.net) and the J.League official website (jleague.co).

  • ACLE Final – Al-Ahli vs. FC Machida Zelvia

    A DAZN Match Report | April 26, 2026

    FC Machida Zelvia made history this season. It was the club’s first-ever appearance in the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE — Asia’s top club competition, equivalent to the UEFA Champions League in Europe). And they did not just take part — they reached the final. They even had a chance to win the title in their very first attempt. For the fourth year in a row, a J.League club reached the ACLE final. However, since the tournament moved to a centralized Finals format held in Saudi Arabia, both Yokohama F. Marinos and Kawasaki Frontale lost in the final. Zelvia would face that same challenge.

    In the 2025/26 season, Machida Zelvia were the ones to step onto that stage. They won both the quarterfinal and the semifinal 1-0. Both matches were tough. Some refereeing decisions went in their favor. But in a centralized tournament held entirely in Saudi Arabia, there is no home advantage for anyone. Head coach Tsuyoshi Kuroda is a highly experienced manager. Before moving to professional football, he won the All Japan High School Soccer Championship — Japan’s top high school football knockout tournament — seven times. This result showed his skill in managing knockout-format matches.

    With CyberAgent as the club’s owner and president Daisuke Fujita driving an ambitious vision, Machida had built steadily toward this moment. In the starting lineup, two familiar names stood out — goalkeeper Kosei Tani and defensive midfielder Neta Lavi, both of whom had previously played for Gamba Osaka. For Gamba Osaka supporters watching, it was a bittersweet sight.

    Starting XI for FC Machida Zelvia: GK: Kosei Tani | DF: Gen Shoji, Yuta Nakayama, Daihachi Okamura | MF: Hiroyuki Mae, Kotaro Hayashi, Neta Lavi, Hotaka Nakamura | FW: Yuki Soma, Eliki, Tete Yengi

    First Half

    Just after kick-off, the television picture turned hazy white. Flares were being lit inside the stadium. The atmosphere became intense immediately. Confetti from the pre-match celebrations was still scattered across the pitch.

    Al-Ahli controlled the early stages. They spent a lot of time in Machida’s half. Still, in the 9th minute, Hotaka Nakamura met a cross from Yuki Soma with a header and forced a save from the goalkeeper.

    In the 13th minute, Gareno broke through and found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Kosei Tani. Tani made a superb save. The rebound was cleared by Daihachi Okamura. After that, Machida took control for a period, but neither side scored.

    As many had feared, there were several refereeing decisions in the first half that seemed to go against Machida. Even so, Machida are one of the best teams in the current J.League at managing a match. They press with high intensity and are also able to use a more defensive, physical style when needed. They can hold on even when things are not going their way.

    In the 42nd minute, a cross into the box drew players from both teams. Tani could not reach it. Al-Ahli’s shot hit the crossbar and went out. The first half ended 0-0. Considering how Kawasaki and Yokohama had struggled in this same final in the two previous years, Machida had performed very well.

    Second Half

    Neither team made substitutions at the start of the second half. Al-Ahli continued to have more possession, but Machida defended well and kept the clock moving.

    In the 62nd minute, Na Sang-ho came on for Eliki. Al-Ahli also made a substitution at the same time. Almost immediately, VAR (Video Assistant Referee) reviewed a challenge by Neta Lavi, but no penalty was given.

    In the 68th minute, tensions boiled over. After the ball went out of play, Yengi appeared to provoke an opponent. An Al-Ahli player responded with a headbutt and was shown a red card (sent off). This caused objects, including plastic bottles, to be thrown from the stands onto the pitch. The atmosphere in the stadium became very hostile.

    With a man advantage, the key question was how Machida would respond. Pushing forward would create chances, but it would also leave them open to counter-attacks. This was a critical moment for coach Kuroda.

    In the 73rd minute, Hiroyuki Mae struck a powerful long-range shot, but the opposing goalkeeper saved it. In the 76th minute, during a short corner routine, Yuki Soma and Yuta Nakayama collided with each other and both went down.

    In the 81st minute, after sustained pressure, Soma shot but was stopped by the goalkeeper. Mae’s cutback then hit Yengi and did not go in.

    Al-Ahli created some chances of their own, but Machida dealt with them. In the 89th minute, Shota Fujio and Hokuto Shimoda came on for Yengi and Neta Lavi. Almost immediately after coming on, Fujio fouled an opponent in a situation far away from the ball — very much in keeping with his reputation as a combative player.

    Five minutes of added time were shown. Given all the stoppages — including the red card incident — more might have been expected. In the confusion, an Al-Ahli player went down after light contact inside Machida’s penalty area. At almost the same moment, a red card was shown to someone on the Al-Ahli bench — it was unclear exactly what he had said or done, but he had clearly reached his limit. In contrast, Machida remained calm throughout.

    In the 97th minute, Yuta Nakayama was replaced by Dresevic (Dorde Dresevic), and the second half came to an end. The match went to extra time.

    Extra Time

    The first period of extra time started at a pace that suited Machida. Then, in the 96th minute, Al-Ahli attacked down the right side. Several players rushed in and one of them scored. It was the first goal Machida had conceded in this entire Finals stage.

    In the 99th minute, coach Kuroda replaced Hotataka Nakamura with Henry Mizuki Mochizuki. The change signaled a shift toward a more physical, direct attacking approach. In the 103rd minute, Mochizuki met a cross from Soma with a header, but the shot went wide. The first period of extra time ended 1-0 to Al-Ahli.

    In the second period of extra time, coach Kuroda replaced Gen Shoji with Keiya Sendo, shifting to a more attack-minded shape. Machida created some chances, but none were clear enough. Without Neta Lavi in central midfield, the team lacked stability. Soma, who is central to Machida’s attacking play, had not been able to show his best form all evening. That made things even more difficult.

    In the 120th minute, the goalkeeper spilled a cross from Soma, but Machida could not convert. Only two minutes of added time were played. The final chance came from a long throw-in, but Al-Ahli defended it. The final whistle blew. Al-Ahli won the title for the second year in a row.

    Summary

    A home-and-away final format might have told a different story. Conceding in extra time while playing with a numerical advantage made the defeat all the more painful. It truly came down to the finest of margins. There is a certain irony, though: Machida’s strength as a team lies in defensive, counter-attacking football built on set pieces. Having an extra man actually pushed them into a style of play that does not suit them.

    One image that will stay long in the memory: the supporters. They jumped and sang with everything they had, right until the very final whistle.

    What Comes Next

    As things stand, Machida have not yet secured a place in the ACLE for next season. They have qualified for the ACL2 (the second tier of the AFC Champions League, one level below the ACLE) through winning the Emperor’s Cup (Japan’s main national cup competition, open to all clubs across all divisions). However, the path back to the ACLE remains uncertain.

    The ACLE has expanded. Japan now has three direct entry spots and two spots through a playoff round. Machida are currently sixth in the J.League this season. Breaking into the top three or four looks difficult from here. For now, winning the ACL2 is likely to be their main continental goal for next season.

    The ACL2 final will be held on May 17. The match-up is Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia) vs. Gamba Osaka (Japan) — the same Saudi Arabia vs. Japan storyline as the ACLE final. Unlike the ACLE, the ACL2 final is not played at a neutral, centralized venue. Instead, it is played at the home grounds of the two finalists in alternating years. This year, the West region hosts the final, which means the match will be played at Al-Nassr’s home stadium — again, the same situation as the ACLE. We can only hope that Gamba Osaka bring the title home and restore J.League pride.

  • Match Report: Gamba Osaka vs V-Varen Nagasaki

    Meiji Yasuda J1 League – 100 Year Vision League

    Key Things to Watch Before the Match

    Nagasaki left their key attacking midfielder, Matheus Jesus, on the bench at the start. This made it important for Gamba to score in the first half. If Matheus came on in the second half, the match was expected to become much harder for Gamba.

    Note: The “100 Year Vision League” is a special competition format used in the J1 League this season. Teams play in regional groups, and the results also count toward the regular league table.

    J.League 2026: A Year of Major Change

    First Half

    Gamba controlled the game from the very beginning. In the 2nd minute, a corner kick led to a big chance for Issam Jebali, but his shot went over the crossbar. Finishing from that kind of position is a known weakness for him.

    In the 10th minute, Welton picked up a leg injury. Head Coach Jens Wissing has struggled to manage player fitness — this was already a concern after Riku Handa’s earlier injury. Ryoya Yamashita came on to replace Welton in the 13th minute, though Nakatsumi Naru might have been a better choice given the fitness situation.

    In the 16th minute, another corner kick created an opportunity. Deniz Hummet got a shot off, but it was blocked. In the 19th minute, Ryotaro Meshino tried his trademark curling shot, but the goalkeeper pushed it out for a corner. In the 21st minute, captain Shinnosuke Nakatani connected with the ball at the far post from a free kick, but his effort just missed the target. In the 25th minute, Takeru Kishimoto attempted a backheel flick from a corner, but the goalkeeper saved it.

    After that, Nagasaki took control of the game. This is common in football — if a team keeps missing chances, the opponent often starts to gain confidence and momentum. In the 32nd minute, Hijiri Onaga tried a clever chip shot, but luckily it did not go in.

    In the 37th minute, Jebali picked up a leg injury and was replaced by Takashi Usami — the second substitution due to injury in this match alone. Coach Wissing’s struggles with player fitness management are now a serious concern.

    In the 40th minute, Meshino fired a shot on the counter-attack, but the goalkeeper stopped it again. In the 45th minute, Shuto Abe took a kick to the thigh from an opponent. He continued playing, but replacing him would have been the wiser decision.

    The first half ended 0–0. However, with two players already off due to injury, the second half looked difficult for Gamba.

    Second Half

    At half-time, Abe came off and was replaced by rookie Takato Yamamoto. It is always good to give young players experience, but it is essential that the injured players recover in time for the AFC Champions League Two (ACL2) final on May 17.

    Note: The AFC Champions League Two (ACL2) is the second-tier club competition in Asian football, organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). It sits one level below the AFC Champions League Elite.

    Nagasaki started the second half strongly. Abe’s absence clearly weakened Gamba’s balance between attack and defence.

    In the 55th minute, Yamashita drove forward and hit a shot, but it went over the crossbar. In the 61st minute, Nagasaki delivered a cross and Masahiro Sekiguchi was completely unmarked. He shot, but Rui Araki made a superb block to concede only a corner. In the 63rd minute, Nagasaki brought on Matheus Jesus.

    Yamamoto, who came on at half-time, showed good positional awareness in defence — choosing the right positions depending on the situation. Whether that was his own instinct or the coach’s instructions is unclear, but given the current squad situation, he deserves more playing time.

    In the 72nd minute, Usami tried a long-range shot. In the 76th minute, Nagasaki’s Motoki Hasegawa entered the penalty area and was brought down by Nakatani — the referee gave a penalty. Matheus Jesus stepped up and converted it calmly. Nagasaki took the lead, and the situation became even harder for Gamba.

    However, in the 80th minute, a counter-attack changed everything. Usami played a clever flick, Yamashita ran clear, and his final pass was finished by Hummet. Gamba were level. It was a beautifully crafted goal.

    Immediately after the equaliser, Meshino came off for Harumi Minamino, and Ryo Hatsuse came off for Shinya Nakano. All five substitution slots were now used.

    In the 85th minute, Nagasaki fired several shots in quick succession, but Araki made back-to-back saves. The young goalkeeper gained some very valuable experience.

    Extra Time and Penalty Shootout

    In the 95th minute, Nakatani met Usami’s corner kick with a header, but the ball hit the post. Another corner followed, but neither side scored. The match went to a penalty shootout.

    Note: In the J1 League 100 Year Vision League format, if a match is still level after 90 minutes, it goes to extra time and then a penalty shootout. The team that wins the shootout earns 2 points, while the losing team takes 1 point.

    This was Gamba’s seventh penalty shootout in this competition. For Nagasaki, it was their first.

    During the shootout, before Nagasaki’s third taker stepped up, the referee stopped play to speak to the Gamba supporters, and captain Nakatani went over to help manage the situation. From the gestures used, it appeared that a large Gamba banner had fallen into the Nagasaki supporters’ section. The concern itself is understandable, but the stadium management team must also take some responsibility — they had seated Nagasaki supporters directly next to the Gamba section with no buffer zone between them.

    Both teams scored all five of their first-round penalties, sending the shootout into sudden death. In sudden death, Araki saved Nagasaki’s sixth penalty. Then Nakano scored Gamba’s sixth. Gamba won the shootout and took 2 points.

    Match Summary

    For GK Rui Araki — playing only his second professional appearance — this was a wonderful first win. The personal Man of the Match for this game is without question Araki. His saves in the second half, when Nagasaki had multiple clear scoring chances, made this result possible.

    It is a frustrating situation that three more players picked up injuries in this one match, but we can only hope none of them are serious. After the game, Welton, Jebali, and Abe were all seen walking on their own, which suggests the injuries are not severe. With the ACL2 final approaching, we can try to look at this in a positive way.

    Gamba’s next match is an away fixture against Kyoto Sanga F.C. on April 29. The schedule is demanding with games coming quickly, and the last thing the team needs is more injuries.

  • Gamba Osaka vs Al-Nassr — A Final Like No Other(ACL2)

    The Two Finalists Are Set

    The two clubs that will meet in the AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2) final for the 2025/26 season have been decided.

    The ACL2 is the second-biggest club competition run by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). It is similar to the UEFA Europa League in European football.

    From the East zone, Gamba Osaka (Japan, J1 League) advanced to the final. From the West zone, Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League) claimed their spot. The two clubs will face each other on May 16.

    Two Clubs From Very Different Worlds

    There is a huge gap between these two clubs in terms of financial size.

    Gamba Osaka’s total revenue for the 2024 season was approximately ¥7.2 billion (around $50 million / approx. €44 million). This ranked sixth in the entire J1 League — Japan’s top professional football division — and was the highest figure in the club’s history.

    Al-Nassr, on the other hand, is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), a government-owned investment fund. The club’s estimated value in 2024 was around $1 billion (approx. ¥150 billion). Their reported annual player wage bill is approximately €364 million (approx. ¥60 billion / around $419 million). That is roughly 13 times Gamba Osaka’s entire annual revenue.

    Al-Nassr’s squad includes global superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mané, and Kingsley Coman.

    Please note: Full financial details for both clubs are not always made public. The figures above are estimates based on available official reports and media sources.

    Group Stage: Both Clubs Won All Six Games

    In the group stage — a round-robin format where each club plays against all others in their group — both Gamba Osaka and Al-Nassr won all six of their matches. They started from the same point.

    However, once the knockout rounds began — where one loss ends your tournament — the two clubs took very different paths.

    Al-Nassr: Dominant and Unstoppable

    Al-Nassr showed consistent, powerful football through the Round of 16, the quarterfinals, and the semifinals.

    In the quarterfinals, they defeated Al-Wasl (UAE) 4–0. Ronaldo scored his first goal of the tournament, and manager Jorge Jesus’s side showed no weaknesses at all.

    In the semifinals, Kingsley Coman scored a hat-trick — three goals in a single match — as Al-Nassr crushed Al-Ahli (Qatar) 5–1.

    They dominated every opponent in the West zone.

    Gamba Osaka: Surviving Crisis After Crisis

    Gamba Osaka’s journey looked completely different. They won matches, but they were pushed to the edge again and again.

    Round of 16 vs. Pohang Steelers (South Korea)

    This round used a two-legged format — each club plays one home match and one away match, and the winner is decided by the total goals scored across both games. Gamba won one leg and drew the other to advance. But in the closing moments of the second leg, Pohang nearly scored a late equaliser. A VAR check — a video review by the Video Assistant Referee — ruled the goal out. Gamba survived by the narrowest of margins.

    Quarterfinals

    After both legs, the scores were level. The tie went to extra time — two additional 15-minute periods played when the match is still level after the standard 90 minutes. Gamba scored the winning goal in extra time to advance.

    Semifinals

    Gamba lost the first leg at home. But they turned it around in the away second leg, winning on aggregate — total goals over both matches — to reach the final. It was a true comeback from the edge of elimination.

    Two Opposites Meet in the Final

    The financial difference between these clubs is enormous. Their paths to the final have also been completely different.

    Al-Nassr brought a squad of superstars and won comfortably in each round. Gamba Osaka fought through difficult moments, relying on teamwork and never giving up.

    This final may be more than just a football match. It asks a deeper question about the sport: What can money buy — and what can it not?

    The final takes place on May 16. A J1 League club will face the big money of Asian football head-on.

    About ACL2: The AFC Champions League 2 launched in 2021 with a new format. Clubs from leagues across Asia compete through a group stage and then a knockout tournament. The highest-level club competition in Asian football is the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE). The ACL2 sits one level below that.

  • ACL2 Semi-Final Second Leg: Gamba Osaka Fight Back to Reach the Final

    Bangkok United 0–3 Gamba Osaka (April 15, 2026)

    Gamba Osaka beat Bangkok United 3–0 in the second leg of the AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2) semi-final.

    What is ACL2? The ACL2 is a continental club competition in Asia. It is similar to the UEFA Europa League in Europe — the second-tier Asian club cup after the AFC Champions League Elite.

    Gamba had lost the first leg at home. To advance, they needed to win this away game by at least two goals. ACL2 semi-finals are decided on aggregate — the total score from both legs combined.

    A Difficult Situation Before Kick-Off

    Gamba faced serious problems before the match even started.

    Centre-back Shinnosuke NAKATANI was suspended. Right back Riku HANDA had also picked up an injury and left the pitch during the Osaka derby the previous weekend.

    Two young players stepped in to fill those roles. Rookie defender Ginjiro IKEGAYA — in his first professional season — started at right back. Takeru KISHIMOTO also came into the starting eleven. Both players carried heavy responsibility from the very first minute.

    Bangkok United, on the other hand, had rotated their entire squad in their league match over the weekend. They came into this game fresh and well-rested. In terms of fitness, the advantage was clearly with Bangkok.

    First Half: Jebali Takes Control

    Gamba dominated possession from the start. Bangkok sat back and looked to attack on the counter.

    In the 6th minute, Rin MITO fired a long-range shot from outside the penalty area — showing exactly the kind of aggressive, forward-thinking attitude that had been missing in the first leg.

    The opening goal arrived in the 19th minute. KISHIMOTO played a through ball into the box. Issam JEBALI received it with his back to goal, held off the defender, and laid it off to Deniz HUMMET. Ryoya YAMASHITA was there to tap in the rebound. The aggregate score was now level at 1–1.

    In the 35th minute, JEBALI was fouled inside the penalty area. After a VAR check — where the Video Assistant Referee reviews the footage to verify the decision — the referee awarded a penalty kick. The goalkeeper made the initial save, but JEBALI followed up and scored on the rebound to put Gamba 2–0 up on the night. Gamba now led 3–1 on aggregate and were through to the final.

    Gamba went into half-time leading 2–0. It was the perfect start.

    Second Half: Meshino Seals the Win

    Gamba kept pressing after the break.

    In the 82nd minute, JEBALI played a perfectly timed through ball in behind the defence. Ryotaro MESHINO calmly finished to make it 3–0 on the night. The win was complete.

    Man of the Match: Issam Jebali

    The standout player of the match was without question Issam JEBALI.

    • Goal 1: Held up the ball with his back to goal and set up YAMASHITA’s opener
    • Goal 2: Won the penalty and converted the rebound to score
    • Goal 3: Played the key through ball that set up MESHINO’s finish

    JEBALI was involved in all three goals and played the full 90 minutes. The Tunisian international striker was exceptional from start to finish.

    Into the Final — and Looking Ahead

    Gamba Osaka have reached the ACL2 final, scheduled for May 16. They are now just one win away from becoming Asian champions.

    One concern from this match was the physical nature of Bangkok United’s play. Rough challenges were a regular feature throughout the game. Fair play is what makes football enjoyable for everyone.

    Back in domestic football, Gamba have a J1 League home match on Sunday. The J1 League is Japan’s top professional football division. Six players who started tonight — including JEBALI, MITO, and goalkeeper Masaaki HIGASHIGUCHI — will need careful squad management before that game.

    Gamba Osaka’s run to the ACL2 final is proof that J.League clubs can compete — and win — at the highest level in Asia.