Urawa Reds and Gamba Osaka played out a goalless stalemate at the Saitama Stadium on Saturday in a clash that passed with thankfully few incidents, after last season’s meeting was marred by brawls both on and off the pitch. In a game of few genuine chances, the home side had the better of the play and were unfortunate to see Naoki Yamada efforts rebound off the goal frame in both halves, but Gamba’s hopes of mounting a serious threat ended when top scorer Leandro was forced off with a torn hamstring just before half-time.
Though a four-week break in league fixtures after next weekend will soften the blow, Leandro is certain to miss the home meeting with league leaders Kashima Antlers next Sunday, and faces a race against time to be ready for Gamba’s last 16 match in the ACL against either Kawasaki Frontale or Pohang Steelers on 24 June. The Brazilian striker has scored 16 goals in 16 games since arriving from Vissel Kobe.
Two goals in the opening eleven minutes from Shinzo Koroki were enough to keep Kashima at the head of the table after their trip to Kashiwa Reysol, but they were made to sweat in the second half after Yuki Otsu pulled one back for the home side, and Mitsuo Ogasawara was sent off for two yellow cards. The Antlers now lead Urawa by two points with a game in hand, with Albirex Niigata leapfrogging Gamba into third after a 2-0 win over Kobe.
Nagoya Grampus needed a late equaliser from Davi to spare their blushes at home to Omiya Ardija, but two goals in the last eight minutes helped Kawasaki beat Jubilo Iwata to record consecutive wins for the first time this year. Montedio Yamagata, however, have now lost three games in a row after going down 3-1 away to fellow promoted side Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Elsewhere, FC Tokyo won 1-0 at Yokohama F Marinos, Kyoto Sanga beat JEF United Chiba 2-1, while Oita Trinita suffered their ninth straight defeat in a 3-1 loss away to Shimizu S-Pulse.
J1 results (matchday 12)
Nagoya Grampus 1-1 Omiya Ardija
Urawa Reds 0-0 Gamba Osaka
Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 Jubilo Iwata
Kashiwa Reysol 1-2 Kashima Antlers
Sanfrecce Hiroshima 3-1 Montedio Yamagata
Yokohama F Marinos 0-1 FC Tokyo
Shimizu S-Pulse 3-1 Oita Trinita
Albirex Niigata 2-0 Vissel Kobe
Kyoto Sanga 2-1 JEF United Chiba
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