Gamba 1-1 Antlers (Photocopy Super Cup) 3-5 on PKs
The J.League season-opening Super Cup took place on Saturday, February 27th on a crisp spring day in Tokyo. Gamba began the game, and, indeed, the season, without influential captain and centre back Yamaguchi - out with an injury from pre-season. Also missing were Myojin and Nakazawa - victims (and I use the word with its intended meaning) of the ACL game in Korea in midweek. Kaji was also doubtful for this game, after suffering an injury from a late tackle within the first minute of that ACL game, but managed to shake off the injury.

Starting with rookie Suganuma and the more experienced Takagi as centre backs, protected by a double volante of Endo and Hashimoto, Gamba began the game well, seeing plenty of the ball and spraying the passes around. Kashima were noticeably expecting this tactic and sat back, soaking up the pressure and hoping for breaks.

It should be noted that J.League referees have been instructed to clamp down on the use of arms this season. A new initiative as always at the start of each season which invariably brings controversy in the opening game. This game was no different as, in the 19th minute the referee gave a PK as Iwamasa tried to pull off Cho's shirt, while being closely shepherded by Takagi. Despite the aforementioned attempt at changing shirts during the game, a PK was duly given, yellow card shown, for some reason, to Suganuma, and the PK duly dispatched by Marquinhos. On that decision we could expect about 20 more PKs during the game - and would they all be given the wrong way!?

Thankfully, Gamba Gamba continued the pressure and possession, although it was a stroke of luck combined with an adventurous run and strike from Kaji that earned to equaliser on the stroke of half time, as the Gamba right back cut in smartly from the wing on to his left foot and let off a 20 yarder which deflected off the hapless Ogasawara to fly past Sogahata for the deserved leveller.

Hirai, being given his chance to cement a place in the J.League starter next week, showed promising touches and, with a little luck, or more confidence/experience could have grabbed a couple of goals but it was not his, or Gamba's day today. The game petered out into a draw after normal time, and the game went straight to the lottery of penalty kicks.

And what a drama that turned out to be as the normally reliable Endo skied his opening PK over the bar - possibly the first time he has EVER missed the target. No more kicks were missed and, by the time that Marquinhos came in to dispatch his 2nd PK of the day to finish it off, the Gamba players and fans were already thinking of the J.League opening game and putting this game down as a nice little warm-up!

Bring on Nagoya!


Gamba Osaka:

GK - Fujigaya
DF - Kaji, Suganuma, Takagi, M. Yasuda
MF - Endo, Hashimoto, Futagawa, Lucas
FW - Hirai (Usami, 62), Cho


Posted by Alan on 05 Mar 2010