The first day of the fifth group-stage matches in the AFC Champions League（ACL）saw Adelaide United’s late-minute comeback force a 3-3 draw to Gamba Osaka, giving the J. League club only a slim hope of advancing to the next round depending on the result of the other teams on the final matchday. On the other hand, Kawasaki Frontale secured their first win in the ACL by beating Suwon Samsung Bluewings 1-0 in an away game and kept their qualification hopes alive for the next round.

On the other game in Group H, Jeju United (Korea) posted a 2-1 away victory over leaders Jiangsu FC (China) who already qualified for the knock-out stages and increased their points to seven. In order to qualify for the subsequent round, Gamba with four points must score four goals with at least three-goal difference against Jeju in their final group-stage game on 9 May, and require Adelaide to lose or draw a home game against Jiangsu.

Gamba Osaka allow late-minute comeback after leading 2-0

Despite sitting in the bottom of Group H with three points, Gamba trail only a single point from second-placed Adelaide. Looking to climb up the table, the Osaka club came out aggressively to score at home, and opened the scoring in the 6th minute, as forward NAGASAWA Shun struck home a header from midfielder ENDO Yasuhito’s left corner. Then, in the 13th minute, after receiving a square pass just outside of the right side of the box, forward DOAN Ritsu cut inside and curled in a spectacular left-footer to the top right corner to give the home team a two-goal lead.

With three key players suspended for accumulating yellow cards, Adelaide brought in young prospects to help their team get through an important away game. Two forwards Jordan O'DOHERTY and Nikola MILEUSNIC both served as playmakers and combined well to create chances for the Australian club as in the 43rd minute goal, where their build-up plays gave forward Papa DIAWARA the chance to attack from the right flank and send in a cross to the far side after dodging a Gamba defender getting caught in the grass and forward Sergio CIRIO the first goal for his side.

Gaining momentum after the goal, Adelaide found their attacking flair again in the 53 rd minute, as O'Doherty nailed an equaliser from long range. Minutes later, Gamba earned a penalty, but unexpectedly Endo missed the target and failed to score a go-ahead goal.

Seeking to grab all three points, Gamba subbed in midfielder IZUMISAWA Jin for midfielder FUJIMOTO Jungo in the 67th minute and brought in forward ADEMILSON for Endo after 75 minutes. These substitutions worked brilliantly for the Osaka club, as Nagasawa was put though cleanly in front of the goal by OH Jae-Suk surging up the right flank and scored his second of the match and an awaited tiebreaker for his side in the 77th minute. Taking a 3-2 lead until the end of regulation time, the hosts sent in defender FABIO in added time to strengthen their defence and secure a win.

However, a tragic moment for the J. League club came just before the final whistle as forward Diawara headed home late-minute equaliser off a free kick from the right side and forced a 3-3 draw to the Osaka Club. Unable to claim a home victory in their penultimate group-stage match, Gamba must now rely on the result of the other match to qualify to the knock-out stages.

Match Details (Japanese version only)

Set-piece goal gives Kawasaki their first victory

With four straight draws and four points, Kawasaki Frontale are four points behind group leaders Suwon Samsung and two points apart from second place Guangzhou Evergrande. Frontale with a victory over Samsung being a prerequisite to qualify for the Round 16 displayed their strong determination towards winning an away game and maintained their focus to composedly compete against the Korean side.

Focusing their efforts in defence, Samsung looked to hit off a counter, but their scoring attempts were denied by the solidly defending Kawasaki side led by goalkeeper JUNG Sung-ryong. Neither of the team found the target in the scoreless first half.

In the opening minutes of the second half, Frontale earned a free kick when midfielder MIYOSHI Koji’ cross inadvertently hit the opposing defender’s hand just outside of the right side of the penalty area. From an excellent delivery to the far side by midfielder NAKAMURA Kengo, defender NARA Tatsuki stunned the Korean keeper with a brilliant header and scored the much-awaited goal for his side. Despite all the threatening opportunities created by the hosts in the remainder of the match, Kawasaki protected the precious one-goal lead to secure their first win of the Asian campaign and increased their chances of advancing to the knock-out stages.

Match Details (Japanese version only)

As a result Kawasaki on seven points now trail two points from leaders Guangzhou Evergrande who beat Eastern SC 6-0 in the other Group G match and a single point from second place Suwon Samsung. Regardless of the result of the Guangzhou-Samsung match, Kawasaki will qualify with 10 ten points if they win the last group-stage match against Eastern at home on 9 May, but a draw will require Samsung to lose their final game to get through the knock-out stages on face-to-face match record.

Coaches' and Players' Comments

HASEGAWA Kenta, Coach (Gamba Osaka)
I have to give credit to my players who gave their best until the very end of the match. I subbed in Fabio to care for the opponents’ height advantage. I am devastated that they won the aerial battle from a set piece and scored an equaliser. I have no complaints about their performance today, but also found it difficult to come up with a win. I have to take the responsibility for the loss as well. We now only have a slim chance of advancing to the next round, but we will do our best to win the final group-stage match.

GK HIGASHIGUCHI Masaaki (Gamba Osaka)
We had plenty of chances to extend the lead in the first half. Given that two-goal advantage is far from securing a match, the result might have been different if we capitalised on those early chances. Regarding the late-minute equaliser, I took it for granted that this game was already in the bag, and was slow to react to the fine delivery from a free kick. In order to call myself an excellent keeper, I must protect the goal better and deny those scoring attempts.

MF ENDO Yasuhito (Gamba Osaka)
Looking back at the game, we should have managed the game differently by making tactical adjustments when we had a 2-0 lead. We gave the momentum to the opponents when we conceded a goal late in the first half, and we needed better time management towards the end of the first and second halves by executing plays to take more time off the clock. Regarding the missed penalty, I kicked as I normally do, but didn't make the right contact to the ball. I have to say that was my error, and should have scored more composedly. The final match will be a tough away game, but as long as there is a chance to qualify, we will do our best to win the match.

MF IDEGUCHI Yosuke (Gamba Osaka)
Towards the end of the match including the final set-piece, we gave up possession quite easily, and as the result we allowed the opponents to create chances and find an equaliser. I believe we put ourselves in a difficult situation by staying back after taking a 2-0 lead, and were forced to spend more time defending on our end.

Guillermo AMOR MARTINEZ, Coach (Adelaide United)
It was a tough match, but the reserves did an excellent job today. Despite losing 2-0 against the home side, we never gave up and showed our strong determination towards winning the match. Having the chance to advance to the next round, I am glad we are hosting the final game.

Tournament Period：24 January 2017 (Tue.) ～ 25 November 2017 (Sat.)

Group E
26 April 2017 (Wed.) 19:30 Kick-off (TBC) ＜Local Time＞
Ulsan Munsu Soccer Stadium
Ulsan Hyundai (Korea) vs Kashima Antlers (Japan)

Group F
26 April 2017 (Wed.) 19:30 Kick-off (TBC) ＜Local Time＞
Saitama Stadium ２００２
Urawa Reds (Japan) vs Western Sydney Wanderers (Australia)

Tournament Information