A game of few chances or highlights for either side, Endo swung in a great shot – right footed from the left wing – in the 18th minute that had Marinos keeper Iikura scrambling to tip it over the bar, while the closest the home team came in the 1st half was a Nakamura free kick that sailed harmlessly over the bar minutes before the break.
After the break Marinos came closer in the 48th minute as Marquinos set up Yuji Ono, who forced a fine save from Gamba keeper Kimura.
Right on the hour mark, Marinos were awarded a PK when Niwa was deemed to have tripped Saito in the area, but the off form Nakamura smacked the ball against the bar and the game headed for a scoreless draw… a rare occasion for Gamba, to be sure! Fujiharu did his best to break the deadlock in the 86th minute, as Kurata fed him on the edge of the area, but his rising shot was gathered by the keeper and the game did indeed end scoreless. Marinos did not manage a 5th win in a row, while Gamba kept a clean sheet for the first time since …. well, who can remember!