Goals from Japan internationals Hideo Hashimoto and Yasuhito Endo helped Gamba Osaka to a 2-1 win over bottom side Yokohama FC and remain top of the J. League table.
Gamba dominated at the Expo '72 Memorial Park Stadium in Osaka and managed to nullify the threat of former Japan striker Kazu Miura, who was a peripheral figure for the visitors throughout the contest.
Yokohama have struggled in their debut season in Japan's top-flight, having won only three of their previous 13 games, and expectations were not high that they would improve on that record as domestic action resumed after a two-week international break.
The hosts duly opened the scoring in the 36th minute when Takahiro Futagawa and Endo combined well to set-up Hashimoto and the midfielder rifled home his second goal of the season.
Gamba doubled their advantage 10 minutes from time when Yokohama defender Kosuke Ota brought down Brazilian forward Bare in the box and was subsequently dismissed. Endo made no mistake from the spot.
However new signing Kazuki Hiramoto, a recent acquisition from Division Two side Tokyo Verdy 1969, managed to pull a goal back at the death to ensure a nervy final few seconds for the leaders.
Gamba manager Akira Nishino bemoaned a lack of cutting edge despite the victory.
"I wish our dominance could have been reflected more in the scoreline," said Nishino.
"We got too frustrated. We played aggressively but our finishing was poor.
"The atmosphere in our dressing room after the game was not good."
In Nagoya, AFC Champions League quarter-finalists Kawasaki Frontale claimed a battling 2-2 draw at Nagoya Grampus Eight.
Former Japan midfielder Toshiya Fujita's penalty put the home side in front after just two minutes before Juninho levelled in the 23rd.
Norway forward Frode Johnsen gave Grampus Eight the lead for a second time with a 66th-minute header, but Frontale's North Korean striker Jong Tae Se equalised two minutes later shortly after coming off the bench.
Elsewhere, Kashiwa Reysol were held to a goalless draw by visitors Omiya Ardija, while hosts Yokohama F. Marinos extended JEF United Chiba's winless run to six games with a 1-0 victory.
Takayuki Yoshida made the decisive breakthrough in the 69th minute but was sent off three minutes later after picking up a second booking.
Brazilian Marcio Richardes struck twice as Albirex Niigata beat Vissel Kobe 3-1 at the Tohoku Denryoku Big Swan Stadium, while Oita striker Daiki Takamatsu also bagged a brace as Trinita were held to a 2-2 draw by visitors Kashima Antlers.
Yokohama have struggled in their debut season in Japan's top-flight, having won only three of their previous 13 games, and expectations were not high that they would improve on that record as domestic action resumed after a two-week international break.
The hosts duly opened the scoring in the 36th minute when Takahiro Futagawa and Endo combined well to set-up Hashimoto and the midfielder rifled home his second goal of the season.
Gamba doubled their advantage 10 minutes from time when Yokohama defender Kosuke Ota brought down Brazilian forward Bare in the box and was subsequently dismissed. Endo made no mistake from the spot.
However new signing Kazuki Hiramoto, a recent acquisition from Division Two side Tokyo Verdy 1969, managed to pull a goal back at the death to ensure a nervy final few seconds for the leaders.
Gamba manager Akira Nishino bemoaned a lack of cutting edge despite the victory.
"I wish our dominance could have been reflected more in the scoreline," said Nishino.
"We got too frustrated. We played aggressively but our finishing was poor.
"The atmosphere in our dressing room after the game was not good."
In Nagoya, AFC Champions League quarter-finalists Kawasaki Frontale claimed a battling 2-2 draw at Nagoya Grampus Eight.
Former Japan midfielder Toshiya Fujita's penalty put the home side in front after just two minutes before Juninho levelled in the 23rd.
Norway forward Frode Johnsen gave Grampus Eight the lead for a second time with a 66th-minute header, but Frontale's North Korean striker Jong Tae Se equalised two minutes later shortly after coming off the bench.
Elsewhere, Kashiwa Reysol were held to a goalless draw by visitors Omiya Ardija, while hosts Yokohama F. Marinos extended JEF United Chiba's winless run to six games with a 1-0 victory.
Takayuki Yoshida made the decisive breakthrough in the 69th minute but was sent off three minutes later after picking up a second booking.
Brazilian Marcio Richardes struck twice as Albirex Niigata beat Vissel Kobe 3-1 at the Tohoku Denryoku Big Swan Stadium, while Oita striker Daiki Takamatsu also bagged a brace as Trinita were held to a 2-2 draw by visitors Kashima Antlers.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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