Both teams participating in the coming “SURUGA bank Championship 2015 OSAKA” on Tuesday 11 August, attended open practice sessions at the Expo '70 Commemorative Stadium, in which the matches will be held.

The coaches and the players appeared at a press conference prior to the practice sessions, expressing their desire to claim the international title up for grabs.

Gamba Osaka is to take part in the SURUGA bank Championship for the first time since the inaugural tournament in 2008, and aim to gain their debut title. They have not succeeded in claiming any international titles since the AFC Champions League and the PANPACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP in 2008; so the team and Gamba Osaka coach HASEGAWA Kenta are highly motivated.

River Plate, on the other hand, just won the Copa Libertadores the other day as well as the Copa Total Sudamericana last year, becoming double champions among South American club teams. The team held a one-hour practice session at 8 p.m. and the atmosphere was relaxed despite the long flight from Argentina.

Gamba Osaka Coach and Players’ Comments

HASEGAWA Kenta, Coach
I am really looking forward to the coming match against the South American champions. It’s a very rare opportunity for us. As it’s a home game for us, we’d like to show our skills and strength to win the match. Although I haven’t seen all the players, who just came back from playing for the national team in the East Asian Cup, and don’t know about their conditions yet, I think it’s a little tricky for those players who were on the pitch for 90 minutes yesterday to start the game. I’ll make my final decision after today’s training session.

MF #7   ENDO Yasuhito, Captain
River Plate just won the championship in the Copa Libertadores and they are excellent in both attack and defence. I’d like to show off the Gamba Osaka playing style with good motivation and good condition, so that we can claim the title against such an opponent. Although we only briefly watched River Plate’s match video, they seem to be very aggressive in both attack and defence. In particular, the players up front can decide a game with one goal-scoring opportunity, which we have to watch out for. I’m not sure how the opponent can react to this heat, but I think we can play normally. So I’d like to stay ambitious for goals, waiting for our opportunities.

River Plate Coach and Players’Comments

Marcelo GALLARDO, Coach
We had an excellent experience in the Copa Libertadores. Although it wasn’t easy for us to come straight to Japan after that, we’re eager to win this championship to staying worthy of our team’s name: “River”.

DF #2   Jonatan MAIDANA
This SURUGA bank Championship is very important for us and we’d like to bring our victory back to Argentina. We have just finished the Copa Libertadores the other day, having a great time as a club team. Despite the tiredness, it’s vital to keep winning the coming matches. So I’d like to win this championship as well.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

SURUGA bank Championship 2015 OSAKA 
J.LEAGUE YAMAZAKI NABISCO CUP / COPA TOTAL SUDAMERICANA Championship Final

Gamba Osaka vs River Plate
2015-8-11(Tue.) -19:00/Open 17:00 (subject to change)
Osaka/Expo '70 Commemorative Stadium
More information
Ticket Information (Japanese version only)