Gamba Osaka went into this match knowing they had to win, and keep inning, while hoping for a slip-up by Kashiwa Reysol in the remaining games. Today, Takei was at right back, while Kaji was hoping for a return from the bench after his recent injury. At left back, Fujihara was preferred to Shimohira. Midfield also saw some different selections in SY Kim and Sasaki getting the starting nod. Hashimoto was on the bench, and Futagawa suspended. Afonso, Kawanishi and Otsuka were the attacking options on a decent bench for Gamba.The game started well with both teams getting shots in on the goal, Sasaki having a great half volley change as Lee headed the ball down to him. The diminutive midfielders 25 harder was well over, though, not doing justice to the move that preceded it. There was a similar result when Rafinha made a superb reverse pass to Lee, doling the defenders but Lee’s shot was wide from close range and the teams went in at half time with 12 goal attempts between them but nothing that had challenged either keeper, although Osako had rattled the post from 20 yards with a curler earlier in the half.Kaji did indeed make his return from the bench today, replacing Kim for the start of the second period, with Takei shuffling into midfield and Kaji slipping into his favored right back role.Early in the 2nd half the away team angered fans as the referee missed a foul on Yamaguchi, who didn’t get up from the challenge near the half way line Antlers played on, unsportingly, but no rule against it, and Felipe Gabriel got in a shot that was comfortably held by Gamba keeper Fujigaya.The noise level of the crowd rose in the 54th minute as Masuda knocked down Rafinha for a free kick in Endo territory, although it was Sasaki who tested the keeper in his top left corner. But Gamba took the lead moments later as a quick throw from Fujigaya after a corner found Myojin on the right. The captain passed to Takei, who slipped it across field to Fujihara on the left wing. The full back advanced into the area and sent a short curling cross to Rafinha who headed home from close range totally unmarked on the edge of the six yard box.Kashima brought on the not too shabby subs of Ogasawara and Endo on 65 minutes to try and inject some life into their faltering team, while Gamba coach Nishino held off on more changes at his usual 65 minutes mark, as Gamba were still making passes count and creating openings. Indeed, in the 72nd minute Lee really should have scored as he got on the end of a Sasaki free kick at point blank range, but his touch took it around the post with the defense standing watching.Nishi made it harder for his team when he picked up two yellow cards within minutes, the 2nd a totally unnecessary tugging back of Takei, after the Antlers full back had lost out in a challenge on the wing, and so it was Antlers down to ten men for the final 15 minutes. In that time Hashimoto replaced Sasaki on 87 minutes and Afonso got a cameo in place of Lee, as Gamba held on for an important win to stay within touch of a Championship, and within just one point of a confirmed ACL place.Gamba Osaka – Fujigaya, Takei, Nakazawa, Yamaguchi, Fujiharu, Endo, Myojin, SY Kim (Kaji, 46), Sasaki (Hashimoto, 87), Lee (Afonso 89), Rafinha