Defender Naoto Arai came off the bench and scored a fine leveler on his club debut as Sanfrecce Hiroshima grabbed a 1-1 home draw with Gamba Osaka on Saturday, leaving both teams unbeaten in the J-League first division.
The 27-year-old, who only joined Hiroshima from Albirex Niigata last week, came on as right wingback in the 75th minute and rifled in a low left-footed effort into the far corner just three minutes later at the newly-built Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima.
Gamba winger Welton scored Gamba's opener against the run of play a minute after the introduction of Arai. While the defender had no involvement in conceding the goal, he made sure his start at the new club was a positive one with a memorable first-time effort.
"(Shunki) Higashi did well cutting in from the left before the ball fell my way, and I wanted to get my foot through it on my Hiroshima debut," Arai said. "I didn't have much time to prepare, but I've been telling my teammates about my strength during training sessions."
The home side had an onslaught in the last five minutes of the first half as Shuto Nakano and Taishi Matsumoto both drew diving saves from Gamba keeper Jun Ichimori with shots from distance. Forward Mutsuki Kato then had a tricky tap-in at the far post off a fast cross from Japan midfielder Takumu Kawamura, and his effort hit both posts before somehow staying out.
Gamba attackers Juan Alano and Kota Yamada both wasted big chances in the first half after taking too long to get their shots away inside the box, and they had the post to thank for denying Hiroshima going ahead in the 54th minute when Higashi's apparent cross came off the far post before the visitors took a surprise lead.
Substitutes combined as Neta Lavi skipped past two players inside his own half before playing Isa Sakamoto down the right, and the forward's cross forced a save from Sanfrecce keeper Keisuke Osako, leaving Welton to slot the ball into the gaping net with Gamba's first chance of the second half.
While the lead did not last long, Gamba had a chance to snatch all three points three minutes from time when a fine passing move released Ryotaro Meshino down the left, only to see the talented attacker curl his shot over.
The draw leaves Hiroshima on nine points after two wins and three draws, while Gamba have won and drawn two each to sit a point below with a game in hand.
Elsewhere, defending champions Vissel Kobe hammered winless bottom club Consadole Sapporo 6-1 at home to move up to 10 points. Albirex Niigata and Kashiwa Reysol drew 1-1.
