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| AFC Champions League |
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| Gamba, Kashima win |
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| Yasuhito Endo is one of the front-runners to win the AFC Player of the Year award. |
OSAKA: AFC Champions League quarter-finalists Gamba Osaka and defending champions Kashima Antlers recorded identical 1-0 victories over Kyoto Sanga and Oita Trinita respectively in the 11th round of J-League on Wednesday.
Japan international Yasuhito Endo netted Osaka’s match-winner in the second half. This was Endo’s third goal of the season and the victory moved his side within four points of Asian champions Urawa Reds and Nagoya Grampus, who jointly lead the table with 26 points.
Endo, who played against Bahrain three days ago in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers, said: “We wasted so many chances in the first half, so we wanted to score shortly after the break. Lucas gave me a perfect pass and I had a good trap. All I needed to do was find the net calmly.”
"Once I return to the team, I just give my all even if I'm not really fit," said the midfielder.
In another match, Brazilian substitute Danilo headed home a Mitsuo Ogasawara cross in the 66th minute to give Kashima Antlers the victory.
Gamba will face Syria’s Al Karama away in the first leg of their AFC Champions League quarter-final on September 17 while Kashima will host Adelaide United on the same day.
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