Milestone win for Gamba in big weekend of J.League

Gamba Osaka stay on top of the J.League heading into the international break following their 300th win at the weekend.

The current league leaders won handily against an Urawa Reds squad in crisis. Also, Kashiwa Reysol moved into second with their first-ever win at Kashima Stadium.

The Point:

In the last round of J.League play before a fortnight of J.League Cup and Emperor’s Cup action coinciding with the international break, Gamba Osaka celebrated their 20th anniversary with their 300th victory, a 1-0 result over Urawa Reds that kept the Osakans in first place. Lee Keun-Ho recovered from his poor form last week to hit the winner.

Kashiwa Reysol jumped to second after defeating Kashima Antlers in Kashima Stadium for the first time.

Meanwhile, Nagoya Grampus slipped to third place after falling 2-0 to hosts Shimizu S-Pulse on two second-half goals. Grampus were thoroughly outplayed, with only four shots to S-Pulse’s 23.

Cerezo Osaka followed up their Asian Champions League elimination with a 2-1 loss to visiting Vegalta Sendai. Vegalta have a 6-2-2 record in their last 10 matches and are just six points out of third place.

At the bottom of the table, Avispa Fukuoka beat Omiya Ardija to record their first winning streak of the season.

Eleven points from safety and in last place with six matches remaining, Avispa has a slim chance of avoiding relegation but an unbeaten run combined with continued poor form by the three teams above them would mean a late-season miracle.

Player of the Weekend nominees:

Rikihiro Sugiyama (Kawasaki Frontale), goalkeeper

Made a series of great saves to shut out Ventforet Kofu striker Mike Havenaar and protect Frontale’s 1-0 victory. Sugiyama has allowed only one goal in his last three starts.

Yusuke Tanaka (Avispa Fukuoka), striker

Entered the match as a half-time substitute and assisted on both goals in Avispa’s convincing 2-0 victory against Omiya Ardija.

Genki Omae (Shimizu S-Pulse), striker

Despite three tough misses that he really should have converted, persisted and finally found his scoring touch in the 73rd minute to give his team the lead.

Player of the Weekend winner: Freddie Ljungberg (Shimizu S-Pulse), midfielder

Criticised by some as a marketing gimmick when he was signed late this summer, the former Arsenal veteran has emerged as a leader in the locker room and on the field.

His dash past the defender down the right line was vintage Freddie and nearly overshadowed the ensuing cross that led to Alex Brosque’s goal which sealed the three points for Shimizu.

Young Player of the Weekend: Gotoku Sakai (Albirex Niigata), full-back

The youngster’s first professional goal, a right-footed blast from just outside the box, gave Albirex a two-goal lead in the second half.

Sakai is rumored to be the subject of a one-million-euro bid from Serie A side Cesena, who allegedly hope that starting this winter he will be the next Yuto Nagatomo.

Flop of the Weekend: Ranko Despotovic (Urawa Reds), forward

The Serbia international was supposed to be the solution to the Reds’ poor form when they made him their big summer signing, but he is yet score in league play after 12 appearances.

The Saitama-based club are winless in their last seven matches and are in serious danger of relegation if they don’t turn things around quickly.