AFC Champions League Two
A brilliant strike from Gamba’s Genta Miura was offset by an opportunistic goal by Gleyson before Felipe struck the winner for the Japanese side, who had dominated the tie but couldn’t finish the job in regulation time as they advanced 3-2 on aggregate.
Gamba got off to a bright start, with Deniz Hummet picking up a loose ball and almost slotting home from close range in the fourth minute if not for a well-timed tackle by defender Gabriel Kupa that sent his shot rolling harmlessly past the right post.
Hummet was denied again three minutes later when his strike was ruled offside while Issam Jebali, Riku Handa and Miura’s attempts - all from inside the 18-yard area - failed to find their intended target over the following 15 minutes.
Ratchaburi were mostly pinned in their own half, Negueba and Denilson Junior finding their forays forward cut shot by a sturdy Gamba defence and the steady hands of custodian Masaaki Higashiguchi.
The J1 League side’s constant pressing paid off handsomely in the 29th minute when Miura produced a goal from out of nothing, the defender launching a screamer from 25 yards that gave a diving Kampon Phatomakkakul no chance at all.
Negeuba had the best shot at an equaliser just before the break when the Brazilian striker squeezed in between three Gamba players to get his head to the ball but despite his effort being on target, it lacked the power to trouble Higashiguchi.
Ratchaburi got off to a flying start in the second half when Higashiguchi, in clearing a cross from Daniel Ting, collided with Gamba captain Shinnosuke Nakatani, the ball falling to a lurking Gleyson who volleyed home from inside the six-yard box to level the score in the 50th minute.
The home side should have taken the lead in the 66th minute when they were awarded a penalty after a Handa foul on Ting, only for Denilson to blow the opportunity by sending his poorly-taken spot-kick right at the Gamba keeper.
With both sides failing to find the winner in regulation time, the tie went into an additional 30 minutes, with Gamba again dominating.
Felipe, who had headed wide of the right post five minutes in, made amends four minutes later when he collected a loose ball and side-footed past a flailing Kampon into the bottom right corner to take Gamba through.
Related News
- AFC Champions League Elite
R16: Johor Darul Ta'zim create history
- AFC Champions League Elite
R16: Vissel hold firm to confirm quarter-final ticket
- AFC Champions League Elite
Etheridge applauds fans as Buriram survive Melbourne encounter
- AFC Champions League Elite
Nakamura repays teammates; Kuroda hails Machida spirit
- AFC Women's Asian Cup
Nagano caps birthday celebrations in style
Item 1 of 5