Sanfrecce Hiroshima have been crowned champions of Japan, reaching their second FIFA Club World Cup in the process, after drawing 1-1 in the second leg of the J.League final to secure a 4-3 aggregate victory against Gamba Osaka. Yasuyuki Konno levelled matters on aggregate in the first half, adding to his first leg goal, but it was Takuma Asano who had the last word, heading the hosts level on the night to hand them the aggregate win.
The first leg was a thrilling and dramatic affair in Suita, with a flurry of late goals. 2014 champions Gamba went ahead on the hour mark through Shun Nagasawa after a mix-up in the Sanfrecce defence, before Douglas headed the visitors level with just ten minutes remaining. Kenta Hasegawa’s side immediately struck back though, going ahead once more thanks to Konno’s volleyed effort. With time ticking away, Oh Jaesuk saw red for the hosts and Sanfrecce took advantage. Sho Sasaki levelled matters in the first minute of stoppage time with a stunning header, before Yoshifumi Kashiwa’s scrappy winner sealed the first leg victory.
That left the return leg perfectly poised. With Sanfrecce holding the advantage, the hosts seemed comfortable to concede territory and allow Gamba possession of the ball for large spells of the opening period. Takashi Usami hit a right-footed shot over the bar before Hiroki Fujiharu saw a shot blocked with the hosts in the ascendancy.
Gamba’s pressure paid off. Konno, as in the first leg, fired home after a set piece was not fully cleared, putting the sides level on aggregate.
Despite going behind on the night, Sanfrecce led on away goals and maintained their game-plan going into the second half, soaking up pressure and looking to hit Gamba on the break. Hajime Moriyasu’s tactics worked perfectly. With less than 15 minutes to go, the first leg hero Kashiwa, on as a substitute, turned provider. He whipped a dangerous delivery into the Gamba box and fellow sub Asano rose highest to put the hosts in front on aggregate and back in the driving seat.
Sanfrecce saw the game out, despite some late Gamba pressure, to claim their third J.League title, following their consecutive victories in 2012 and 2013.
"The players have shown great unity and all made sacrifices for the good of the team," Hiroshima manager Hajime Moriyasu told reporters after another dogged performance from his side. "We were expecting a very tough season and the players have shown real grit and determination."
A game against OFC champions Auckland City awaits Sanfrecce in Yokohama on Thursday, in a rematch of the 2012 play-off for a Club World Cup quarter-final spot.Sanfre's second appearance at the global finals will see them look to improve on their own fifth-place finish in 2012 and they will surely have the performance of Japan’s best finishers Urawa Red Diamonds and Gamba in their sights, who finished third in 2007 and 2008 respectively.