Gamba Osaka recovered from a 1-0 first-leg deficit to progress to the final of the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 on Wednesday, after defeating Bangkok United 3-0 away from home in the second leg of their semi-final.
The MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE side started aggressively at Rajamangala National Stadium, and threatened on a couple of occasions before Ryoya Yamashita opened the scoring in the 19th minute.
Takeru Kishimoto played Issam Jebali in behind, and he cut the ball back from the byline for Deniz Hummet, who stabbed an effort goalwards. Bangkok defender Philipe Maia managed to repel his shot, but the ball fell straight to Yamashita who made no mistake with the rebound, firing into the net
Things got even better for G-Osaka six minutes before the interval, when Jebali put them in front.
The Tunisian was fouled by Teerasil Dangda in the area, and while he saw his penalty saved by Bangkok goalkeeper Patiwat Khammai, Jebali reacted quickest to the loose ball, sweeping home to make it 2-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate.
G-Osaka didn’t let up after the restart, and continued to apply pressure as they went in search of more goals.
Jebali almost added another in the 53rd minute after Hummet won possession and played him in on goal, but while his attempt beat Khammai, Philipe Maia was on hand again to block the effort and scramble the ball away to safety.
The killer third goal did arrive with eight minutes left on the clock though, with Jebali this time the provider for Ryotaro Meshino.
Jebali played an incisive through-ball that found Meshino breaking into the box, and the 27-year-old took a touch with his right foot and then converted with his left to make sure of G-Osaka’s place in the final, which takes place on Saturday 16th May.
