GAMBA Osaka secured their first win at Urawa Reds in nearly six years with a 3-2 victory but the result was marred by crowd trouble after the final whistle.
The triumph brought an end to Reds' 10-match unbeaten run, reducing the gap between the two sides at the top of the J.League to seven points.
Celebrating their victory, Gamba players danced in the centre circle at the Saitama Stadium after the game with the 57,050 crowds still watching on in the stands.
Their action angered the home players and their supporters, causing brawls to break out between the two sets of fans.
Water bottles, a flag pole and some other objects were thrown from the Gamba side at their rivals behind the fences, before some of them broke the fences and started brawls in the stands.
One Gamba supporter injured his right leg after falling in the gap between the stand and the pitch, having to be taken to hospital by an ambulance. No other injuries or any arrests were reported.
Some 1,000 visiting fans were forced to remain in the stands for three hours after the game for security reasons, with around 5,000 Reds supporters waiting outside the stadium.
The Gamba supporters eventually went home after being taken to a railway station by shuttle busses arranged by the Saitama club.
"We have to accept our defeat," said Reds defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka. "But we would not do that [dancing in the centre circle] after our win there [away in Osaka]. Both sides should respect each other."
Gamba defender Sota Nakazawa put the visitors ahead when he headed home a Takahiro Futagawa cross in the 18th minute before forward Masato Yamazaki made it 2-0 before the break.
Urawa reduced the deficit in the 54th minute through Japan Under-23 midfielder Tsukasa Umesaki's fee-kick.
The difference came when Gamba and Japan midfielder Yasuhito Endo came off the bench in the 60th minute. He fired home from a Lucas pass nine minutes later.
Reds again pulled a goal back again in the 80th minute, when Brazilian forward Edmilson headed home an Umesaki corner.
"We played good football," said Reds manager Gert Engels. "But giving away three goals indicates that we made three mistakes. That is why we did not win."
Gamba manager Akira Nishino said: "It was a very tough game and both sides battled to the utmost of their ability. Our players fought hard knowing the significance of this game."
Elsewhere, Nagoya Grampus rallied past hosts Consadole Sappporo 3-1 with three second-half goals from Brazilian midfielder Mangum, Keiji Tamada and Norwegian Frode Johnsen.
JEF United Chiba beat Oita Trinita 1-0 at home with Tatsuya Yazawa's first-half winner securing their second victory since the arrival of new manager Alex Miller.
Kashima Antlers were held to a 1-1 draw by Kashiwa Reysol to extend their winless run to seven, while young forward Shingo Akamine scored twice to help FC Tokyo come from behind to beat hosts Jubilo Iwata 2-1.
Finally, Kyoto Sanga held off Yokohama F Marinos 1-0 with Takaaki Tokushige scoring the winner and Omiya Ardija came back from 2-0 down to defeat Kawasaki Frontale 3-2.
Celebrating their victory, Gamba players danced in the centre circle at the Saitama Stadium after the game with the 57,050 crowds still watching on in the stands.
Their action angered the home players and their supporters, causing brawls to break out between the two sets of fans.
Water bottles, a flag pole and some other objects were thrown from the Gamba side at their rivals behind the fences, before some of them broke the fences and started brawls in the stands.
One Gamba supporter injured his right leg after falling in the gap between the stand and the pitch, having to be taken to hospital by an ambulance. No other injuries or any arrests were reported.
Some 1,000 visiting fans were forced to remain in the stands for three hours after the game for security reasons, with around 5,000 Reds supporters waiting outside the stadium.
The Gamba supporters eventually went home after being taken to a railway station by shuttle busses arranged by the Saitama club.
"We have to accept our defeat," said Reds defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka. "But we would not do that [dancing in the centre circle] after our win there [away in Osaka]. Both sides should respect each other."
Gamba defender Sota Nakazawa put the visitors ahead when he headed home a Takahiro Futagawa cross in the 18th minute before forward Masato Yamazaki made it 2-0 before the break.
Urawa reduced the deficit in the 54th minute through Japan Under-23 midfielder Tsukasa Umesaki's fee-kick.
The difference came when Gamba and Japan midfielder Yasuhito Endo came off the bench in the 60th minute. He fired home from a Lucas pass nine minutes later.
Reds again pulled a goal back again in the 80th minute, when Brazilian forward Edmilson headed home an Umesaki corner.
"We played good football," said Reds manager Gert Engels. "But giving away three goals indicates that we made three mistakes. That is why we did not win."
Gamba manager Akira Nishino said: "It was a very tough game and both sides battled to the utmost of their ability. Our players fought hard knowing the significance of this game."
Elsewhere, Nagoya Grampus rallied past hosts Consadole Sappporo 3-1 with three second-half goals from Brazilian midfielder Mangum, Keiji Tamada and Norwegian Frode Johnsen.
JEF United Chiba beat Oita Trinita 1-0 at home with Tatsuya Yazawa's first-half winner securing their second victory since the arrival of new manager Alex Miller.
Kashima Antlers were held to a 1-1 draw by Kashiwa Reysol to extend their winless run to seven, while young forward Shingo Akamine scored twice to help FC Tokyo come from behind to beat hosts Jubilo Iwata 2-1.
Finally, Kyoto Sanga held off Yokohama F Marinos 1-0 with Takaaki Tokushige scoring the winner and Omiya Ardija came back from 2-0 down to defeat Kawasaki Frontale 3-2.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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