Match Report
On paper the standings were lopsided — Sanfrecce Hiroshima 3rd with 17 points, Gamba Osaka 10th with 0, 17 apart.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima were unbeaten in 6, having scored in 15 consecutive games.
11 meetings are on record — 4 won by Gamba Osaka, 5 by Sanfrecce Hiroshima, 2 drawn, at 3.45 goals per meeting. Only 36% of these meetings ended in a home win. 64% of the meetings finished with three goals or more, and both sides scored in 73%. Where history says 3.45 goals per meeting, the last five say 2.2.
Y. Araki officiated: 100 games logged, averaging 1.4 yellow cards each. The match was played at Panasonic Stadium Suita (capacity 39,694). It was 0-0 at the break — the second half brought no more goals and it finished 0-0.
Key stats
Possession: Gamba Osaka 46% · Sanfrecce Hiroshima 54% · Total shots: 10-17 · On target: 3-4 · Corners: 5-7