11 Oct 2007(Thu)

Tokyo, October 9, 2007: Anyone doubting the resolve of Gamba Osaka to keep the pressure on Urawa Reds should have been at Hitachi Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

With the injured Bare off at half-time, and a goal down just six minutes into the second period, things looked bleak for Gamba.

But they managed to regroup, fight back in style and win 2-1 to collect another three points in their pursuit of the defending champions. After Reds won on Sunday, the gap between first and second remains at six points, but with six games remaining the title can still be won and lost.

Two of the three goals at Kashiwa on Saturday were top quality; first as Franca fired Reysol into the lead with a sumptuous, first-time right-foot shot which curled inside the post. Great work, too, from Tadanari Lee, cutting inside from the right flank before laying the ball off for Franca to strike home. These two work well together, and Lee could not have a better teacher in the art of the deep-lying centre forward.

Gamba’s equalizer was also a beauty, as Bando rose to meet Kaji’s pinpoint right-wing cross and send a powerful header past Minami.

As for Gamba’s winner? Well, it looked a harsh penalty call for me as Terada swept into the box and tumbled under challenge, and an unnecessary yellow card for Ryo Kobayashi, the right back.

Endo allowed the rumpus to die down before scoring another of his trademark penalties. He makes it look so easy when, of course, it is not, but it needs nerve, self-confidence and a sound technique to succeed with such a nonchalant approach.

The Gamba player who really impressed me on this particular afternoon, though, was the aforementioned Terada. Yet another product of the club’s youth system, the 22-year-old attacking midfielder stepped up a gear in the second half and popped up all over the place, be it crossing, dribbling or shooting. I thought he was the driving force of the Gamba comeback, and his more established teammates responded to his adventurous play.

ends