Soccer: Endangered Gamba hamper Marinos title bid with 2-0 upset

Gamba Osaka boosted their survival hopes and made sure there would be no early title celebration for Yokohama F Marinos following a 2-0 victory over the J-League first-division leaders on Saturday.

Goals from Juan Alano in the eighth minute and Patric in the 79th secured three vital points for relegation-threatened Gamba, who arrived at Nissan Stadium in 17th place.

Coming in with an eight-point buffer at the top, Marinos needed a win coupled with a draw or loss by second-place Kawasaki Frontale to win the race with three games left, but the two-time defending champions also had other ideas, beating Shimizu S-Pulse 3-2.

Kevin Muscat's Marinos dominated possession and had the lion's share of attacking opportunities, leaving the visitors to pick their spots on the counter.

Alano netted the opener from a set piece, heading into the back of the net after Brazilian compatriot Dawhan nodded Takashi Usami's high corner kick toward the middle of the area.

Another corner led to the second for Hiroshi Matsuda's men, with Keisuke Kurokawa sending a headed clearance back into the area toward Patric, who controlled with his body before burying a close-range finish.

With two games left to play, Gamba remain in relegation danger, together with a cluster of teams facing the drop to J2.

Frontale, aiming for their fifth J1 crown in six seasons, fell behind 2-1 to visiting relegation battlers Shimizu before Kazuya Yamamura equalized in the 76th minute and talisman Yu Kobayashi struck the winner two minutes later.

© Kyodo News