Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Osaka: Sanfrecce Hiroshima edged closer to sealing a spot at this month's FIFA Club World Cup as Sho Sasaki and Yoshifumi Kashiwa scored late on to secure a 3-2 win over Gamba Osaka in the first leg of the J.League Championship Final on Wednesday.
Gamba went ahead when Shun Nagasawa capitalised on some weak defending after 60 minutes, only for Brazilian import Douglas to level matters in the 80th minute.
Gamba looked to have won the match after Yasuyuki Konno restored his side's lead a mere 60 seconds later, but Sanfrecce were to equalise again through Sasaki in the first minute of added time, before Kashiwa put the visiting side in control with their third on the 96th minute mark.
Wednesday’s home defeat ensures an uphill second leg battle for Gamba who lost 2-1 on aggregate to eventual champions Guangzhou Evergrande of China in this season's AFC Champions League semi-finals.
The winner of the J.League Championship Final will qualify as the host team to the FIFA Club World Cup, which will be held in Osaka and Yokohama, from 10 to 20 December 2015.
Five-time Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou are the other Asian side in the showpiece tournament.
Photo: AFP