Super-sub Gaku Nawata spared Gamba Osaka’s blushes on Wednesday night, netting a late equalizer to secure a 1-1 draw against a resilient Ratchaburi FC in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 quarter-final, at Suita City Football Stadium, Osaka.
Despite dominating possession and territory at the Suita City Football Stadium, the J1 League giants found themselves chasing the game for over an hour after a stunning first-half strike from Ratchaburi’s Daniel Ting threatened to pull off a massive continental upset.
Gamba started with the intent of a side looking to bury the tie early. Deniz Hummet nearly opened the scoring within three minutes, dancing through the Thai defense only to be denied by a goal-saving challenge from Denilson Junior.
However, the script was flipped in the 18th minute. Against the run of play, Daniel Ting pounced on a lapse in concentration from Makato Mitsuta. Stealing the ball on the left edge of the area, Ting unleashed a sublime, curling effort that bypassed the outstretched arms of veteran keeper Masaaki Higashiguchi and nestled into the top corner.
The visitors’ “park the bus” strategy proved effective for the remainder of the half, as Ryotaro Meshino and Harumi Minamino saw multiple efforts thwarted by a disciplined Ratchaburi backline and the safe hands of keeper Kampon Phatomakkakul.
The second half followed a similar pattern of Gamba frustration. Kampon turned into a human wall, pulling off a remarkable double save against Meshino and Hummet in the 48th minute. As the clock ticked toward the 80th minute, the home crowd grew restless as Meshino’s surging runs repeatedly ended in the side netting.
The tactical masterstroke came in the 72nd minute when Gamba boss turned to the bench, introducing the energetic Gaku Nawata.
In the 84th minute, the pressure finally told. Takeru Kishimoto whipped a pinpoint cross from the left flank, finding Nawata unmarked in the center of the box. The youngster made no mistake, side-footing a first-time finish past a rooted Kampon to restore parity and ignite the Suita stands.
While Gamba will be disappointed not to have turned their dominance into a victory, Nawata’s strike ensures they travel to Thailand next week on level terms. Ratchaburi, meanwhile, will take immense confidence from their defensive masterclass as they prepare to host the return leg in the heat of western Thailand.
The winner of next Wednesday’s clash will punch their ticket to the semi-finals, with away goals no longer in play—meaning it’s a “winner-takes-all” showdown in the Ratchaburi Stadium.
Credit Photo : RBFC
