Gamba Osaka booked their place in the East Zone semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Two 202526 after defeating Ratchaburi FC 2–1 after extra time in a dramatic quarter-final second leg at Ratchaburi Stadium, Ratchaburi.
The visitors started brightly and nearly found an early breakthrough in the fourth minute when Deniz Hummet pounced on a loose ball inside the penalty area. However, defender Gabriel Kupa produced a perfectly timed challenge to divert the effort wide.
Further opportunities followed for the Japanese side as Issam Jebali, Riku Handa and Genta Miura all attempted efforts from inside the penalty area, yet none could break the deadlock.
Despite being under sustained pressure, Ratchaburi struggled to create meaningful chances, with Negueba and Denilson Junior repeatedly halted by the solid Gamba defence and the safe handling of goalkeeper Masaaki Higashiguchi.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 29th minute, and it came spectacularly. Defender Genta Miura unleashed a thunderous strike from nearly 25 yards out, leaving goalkeeper Kampon Phatomakkakul with no chance despite a full-stretch dive.
Ratchaburi almost responded before halftime when Negueba rose above the defence to meet a cross, but his header lacked the power to trouble Higashiguchi.
The Thai side came out with renewed energy after the restart and found an equaliser in the 50th minute.
Goalkeeper Higashiguchi collided with Gamba captain Shinnosuke Nakatani while attempting to clear a cross from Daniel Ting, allowing Gleyson to pounce on the loose ball and volley home from close range.
Ratchaburi had a golden chance to take the lead in the 66th minute after a foul by Handa on Ting resulted in a penalty.
However, Denilson Junior squandered the opportunity as his weak spot-kick was comfortably saved by Higashiguchi.
With neither side able to find a winner in regulation time, the match moved into 30 minutes of extra time, where Gamba once again controlled the tempo.
Felipe initially missed a headed opportunity early in the additional period but made amends minutes later.
In the 99th minute, the Brazilian forward collected a loose ball inside the area before calmly side-footing his finish into the bottom corner beyond Kampon.
The decisive strike secured the 2–1 victory on the night and a 3–2 aggregate triumph, sending Gamba Osaka into the East Zone semi-finals.
Credit Photo : AFC
