Gamba Osaka capitulated to their heaviest ever home defeat in the AFC Champions League, going down 3-0 to Pohang Steelers, while rarely putting up a fight in any area of the field. Jose Carlos Serrao’s first real game in charge was a disaster from start to finish and the Brazilian coach will be looking for a vast improvement for the opening day of J1 on Saturday, when Vissel Kobe are the visitors.

Pohang took the lead in the 19th minute, as Gamba had spurned chances and possession to allow a goal from nowhere, as Kim Tae Su headed home unmarked in the six yard area! Plus ca change, plus ca meme chose – or something like that!! Then Gamba found themselves 2-0 down just minutes later as Fujigaya punched away a corner, only for it to deflect past the flailing keeper for an admittedly unlucky 2nd goal. Zoran Rendulic cliamed the goal but knew little of it.

Gamba found themselves leaving gaps at the back as they tried in vain to pull a goal or two back but it wasn’t a counter-attack that finally finished them off, but an uncharacteristic mistake by national team centre back Yasuyuki Konno, who missed a simple control of the ball and allowed Pohang captain Shin Hyung Min to take the ball and slip it into the path of Derek Asamoah, who calmly flicked the ball over the onrushing Fujigaya in the Gamba goal to top the scoring at 3-0.