“We started with a formation of three defenders which was the first time for us,” he said through a translator.

“So we were a bit confused. We weren't used to this. We really needed to improve at the beginning of the game.”

In the opening 15 minutes, Victory ran rings around their illustrious opponent and took a deserved 1-0 lead through Danny Allsopp. But Osaka soon steadied the ship and hit back with two brilliant goals before going in at the break 2-2.

However, there was no confusion over Gamba Osaka's intent in this game. Coach Akira Nishino said he told his men at halftime that at 2-2 the three points was theirs for the taking.

Playing for a draw and shutting up shop was never an option for Gamba's former national Olympic team boss who saw his off-season signing from FC Tokyo win it in the shadows of full-time.

“I said we can win this game at halftime. It is always our desire to win games,” Nishino said later.

"This is the how we play the game at Gamba, we never give up and always try to win. Even in an away game like this we don't think a draw is good enough. Every team member knows that no matter what happens, we have to keep attacking," he said.

In a match of so many ups and downs, Nishino could be forgiven for feeling as though the match was slipping away from him at times, but he said he always felt the players believed they would overwhelm the home side.

"I think we were always in control of the game. The possession percentage was quite high," he said.

"I said to them before the game that going down 1-0 is not a problem, we have the ability to fight back. Once we got balanced after that first 15 minutes, we were able to play our style of game."

That style of game is clearly very attacking, and Osaka has now taken six points from consecutive away games despite the fact it has conceded six goals. Nishino won't be changing the way Gamba Osaka plays in the final three matches of the group, two of which are at home.

"Teams playing at home tend to attack more, and the two teams we have played in the past two games have played attacking football. Considering we won both of the games, there's no reason to change what we're doing," he said.

While his team is now in the driving seat to progress from Group G, Nashino said that he feels the group is still very even.

"I've said all along that this will be a very tight in the first stage, and I still think that. The teams' ability is very even and I think the group will not be decided until the final game."

Nishino hails from Saitama just outside Tokyo. That region's J-League team Urawa Red Diamonds are also the reigning ACL champions.

Is this an omen for Osaka and their impressive coach?