Gamba Osaka went into this game looking for the win that would kickstart a grim season so far, and must have expected a chance to put this game away, with Frontale being such low scorers up to this point. But Gamba were 1-0 down within 20 seconds of the start as, perhaps the defence were still admiring Conan the Detective, or the flowers that Nakazawa and Sasaki had received moments before to commemorate their particular milestones of J.League appearances!
The home team then began to look as if they had indeed turned up for the game and had plenty of the ball, plenty of chances but always looked in danger of being caught on the break or from a so-called set piece. And so it was indeed from a corner that Gamba went two goals down, Kobayashi left totally open and unmarked, free to nod home the second goal on the half hour mark.
Still Gamba kept their heads up and Rafinha registered goal attempts, even rounding the keeper once and going down heavily but, in fairness to the player – and the keeper, and despite the fans’ hopes, there was no appeal from the Brazilian and little or no contact from the keeper.
Gamba continued to see plenty of the ball, especially down the left and it was from that wing that the goal finally came, although it was Konno sending in the cross, after a corner was initially cleared, that fellow centre back Nakazawa headed home just before the break to make it 1-2 at half time.
Gamba started the 2nd half well but struggled to make the possession count as Frontale packed the defence as the blue and black wall of pressure advanced. Rafinha again registered goal attempts after good combination play from the likes of Terada, Kurata and Fujiharu but there was still no equaliser as the hour mark approached and the defence were almost caught out with a long ball that was tipped just around the post as Fujigaya advanced to intercept.
Gamba continued to press for goals and Futagawa replaced Terada and Abe replaced Rafinha in quick succession. Plenty of interplay and passing, especially, again, down the left finally led to a low, hard cross from the Fujiharu finding Sato, and the forward made no mistake.
Jungya Kim then came on for Kurata as the final card was played by coach Matsunami, with Endo being pushed forward to supply more creativity, Kim taking over a defensive midfield role. And the changes soon took effect as Abe scored his first league goal for the club as Gamba Osaka took the 3-2 lead with six minutes on the clock. Kaji advance inside from the right wing and sent a low cross back at an angle and Abe opened his body up and side-footed the ball home with ease for what turned out to be the winning goal!
The noise levels rose around the ground as Gamba tried to hold on to a lead for the first time this season – yes, it was the first time in J1 2012 that Gamba had been in front – but it was, finally, Gamba’s day, or night, actually, and the 4 minutes of added time were long and nerve-wracking but the score remained Gamba Osaka 3-2 Kawasaki Frontale.
With Sato and Abe on the scoresheet, and Takei, Kurata, Fujihara and Terada playing a large part in the result, it was encouraging for the future of this young team that they could finally get a win. Confidence will grow!

Gamba Osaka: Fujigaya, Kaji, Nakazawa, Konno, Fujiharu, Takei, Endo, Kurata (Kim, 77), Terada (Futagawa, 59), Sato, Rafinha (Abe, 67).