|
Sagan Tosu 1-3 Gamba Osaka |
||
|
Sagan Tosu 1-3 Gamba Osaka Gamba Osaka took on Sagan Tosu in this Emperor's Cup 4th Round game, in front of a pathetic attendance of just 2045 fans in Hiroshima - many of whom were Gamba fans - but was there any local interest? Probably not. When will the powers that be work out how to boost the popularity of this tournament? OK, it's got one thing going for it now, with the winner being guaranteed entrance into the AFC Champions League. But the next necessary step is to make this tournament a random draw each round with the first team out in the draw of each match being given the home game - like most of the tournaments elsewhere in the world -the FA Cup in England being the prime example. Then, perhaps we can guarantee "home" interest and a few more fans attending. Having said that, only 4,033 attended the Kashima-Kobe game in Kashima on the same day - so perhaps there is nothing that can be done to salvage this tournament in the eyes of the fans? Anywa, onto the game itself.... Gamba began with the following line-up: GK - Fujigaya DF: (R-L) Kaji, Takagi, Yamaguchi, Yasuda MF: Hashimoto, Myojin, Futagawa, Sasaki FW: Lucas, Pedro Junior Yasuda, unfortunately, lasted only 35 minutes before being replaced by Shimohira, as an old injury flared up again for the starting left back. By then Gamba were already 1-0 up from a PK, after Hashimoto had ben fouled in the box. Gamba's regular penalty taker - Yasuhito Endo - was, of course, on duty controlling the national team midfield in South Africa and Hong Kong. Pedro Junior made it 2-0 in the 40th minute after Lucas had dribbled into the box and taken care of three defenders and drawn the goalkeeper his way. The flick with the outside of the right foot by Lucas found his fellow Brazilian with an open goal and the lead doubled. At half time Terai replaced Sasaki and, two minutes into the 2nd half Mike Havenaar brought Tosu back into the game with a nicely volleyed goal to halve the lead. but the hope for the J2 team was short-lived as Lucas fed Myojin on the edge of the area and the midfielder stroked the ball home from 20 yards to make it 3-1 and earn Gamba a quarter final game against Kashima Antlers on December 12th at Kashima Stadium. |
||
|
ABOUT JSOCCER.COM
Jsoccer.com is the brainchild of Alan Gibson. Alan was born in Birmingham, England, and grew up supporting BOTH Aston Villa AND Birmingham City - and still does, from afar! Based in Kobe, Japan for the last 22 years, he has been covering the J.League since its inception in 1993, and remembers watching the first ever J.League match and thinking, "I've got to get involved in this."!
While TRYING to cover the whole of Japan, Alan has a soft spot for Gamba Osaka, since the team that they were formed from - Matsushita Denki - was the first team he watched in Japan in the late 80s! BUT, in the interests of supporting the LOCAL team, Alan has added Vissel Kobe to his list since their formation in 1995, and was responsible for their web site's English History and News Section until - in a cost-cutting exercise at the start of the 2010 season - they removed it, lock, stock and barrel!
Alan is now responsible for Gamba Osaka's English web pages, as well as being the voice of Gamba Osaka (GOOAAAAALLLL!) for their AFC Champions League games! As if all that wasn't enough to get the best info on the J.League, Alan regularly referees practice games, including regular calls from Vissel Kobe and Gamba Osaka to officiate! Jsoccer.com - it really is "from the inside"!
