J-League - Gamba Osaka 1-0 Shimizu S-Pulse - Shimizu Shambles End Unbeaten Streak

A resurgent Gamba Osaka dealt a huge blow to Shimizu S-Pulse's title hopes and end their unbeaten start to the season, moving a point above them in the table, now sitting fifth as of Saturday of Gameweek five.

Thanks to a quality strike from Ryoya Yamashita, Gamba were able to go 1-0 up before half time and send Shimizu to their first loss of the season.

Both teams sit rather high in the table and would by all means need a win in order to continue to mount a title charge -

Poyatos' Gamba Osaka lined up in a 4-2-3-1 with a few changes. Makoto Mitsuta was exchanged for Takeru Kishimoto, Tokuma Suzuki started in defensive midfield ahead of Mito, and Shogo Sasaki replaced Yusei Egawa.

Danger man Issam Jebali has a goal and an assist in his last two starts, amassing 1.08 non penalty xG.

The unbeaten Shimizu S-Pulse only introduced once change to their starting 3-4-3 lineup in the form of 18-year-old Yudai Shimamoto at the left wing.

Prior to this match, Gamba Osaka have been the frequent victors each time the teams have met with 16 wins over Shimizu's five. Ex La-Liga man Takashi Inui spearheads the visitors front three.

The Panasonic Stadium Suita saw kick off a few minutes late with Issam Jebali on the ball immediately but to not much avail.

Shimizu's build up antics were foiled rather early by an aggressive Neta Lavi, who did a good job breaking up any form of early creativity from Inui and co.

Gamba's rambuctious pressing rewarded them with the first corner of the game, which almost resulted in Oki spilling a long-range Yamashita effort.

Riku Handa's excellent instinct won the ball in the box for Gamba Osaka but they were unable to make anything of it.

Player insight; Riku Handa (23y/o) - 7.15 avg. rating - 0.25 assists per 90 - 1.50 chances created per 90.

A precise Mitsuta lay-off put Kurata clear on goal in the 8th minute in a bid to put Gamba 1-0 early, but the winger fluffed his shot.

Kurata attempted a long-shot by himself registering another shot on target for Gamba just after the 10th, but Oki stands tall and keeps it out.

Yamashita was lucky to escape a yellow card after an overall poor challenge took Shimizu's Reon Yamahara out of the game early. With Tadahiro Akiba visibly unhappy, he appealed the decision.

Reon Yamahara attempted to play on but was unfortunately back on the ground, ultimately being stretchered off. Kengo Kitazume prepared in advance to replace the winger.

Shimizu visibly shifted further up the field, their low-block seeming more offensive at intervals attempting to fire back at Gamba tactically.

The higher block worked only for Shimamoto to put in an inaccurate but ambitious ball into the box, which goes out.

Gamba could often be seen with a back three, pitting Kurokawa, Handa and Lavi further up afield whilst Sasaki sits deep for playmaking options. However, Lavi is also seen filling in the gap behind Riku Handa allowing him to push up - leaving a big midfield role to the Israeli.

Gamba Osaka's crosses were seemingly not working. For Jebali, they were too inaccurate - his presence was often felt during presses, but he was unable to get his head on any aerial delivieres.

The 20th minute saw another chance present itself in which Kurata was unlucky not to score. Shimizu were thankful to their goalkeeper at this point, who was keeping them in the game.

The black-and-blue clad players were all over - with Lavi and Suzuki winning almost every midfield battle.

Matheus Bueno looked to make use of a second ball striking it first time in the 23rd, but it goes just wide of the goal. A good eye to register a shot for his side.

Player insight; Matheus Bueno (26y/o) - 7.58 avg. rating - 62.50 passes per 90 - 87.4% pass success - 75% dribble success.

Penalty box chaos ensued in the 26th after Jebali was able to scrape his way into the Shimizu territory, finding the ever-present Mitsuta, but he was unable to provide his team with a finish.

Gamba began to play their cards more steadfast in the 30th realizing Shimizu could fire back at any moment now.

Good work by Lavi and Handa earned Gamba another break-in into the away team's box but once more to no avail. It seems like Gamba's ineffective finishing and chance creation within a tight space cost them any early advantages.

Speaking in contrast...

The hosts finally got their reward in the 35th minute after a brilliant defence-splitting lay-off by Lavi was capped off by a ridiculous floating strike by Ryoya Hamashita, beating Yuya Oki well and truly.

38th minute, Shogo Sasaki was one to thank after Kitagawa broke into the Gamba box, foiling any sort of goal-scoring prospect before it could develop. Shimizu were desperate to get back into the match and maintain this lose-less run.

Young Shimamoto showed valiance by taking on three players and beating them, certainly impressive for an 18-year-old. Kitagawa capped off the move with a long-shot which was nowhere near on course.

42nd minute - Yamashita's eventual yellow card came after a third bad challenge - it was very long due.

It was mostly Gamba's superiorn physical force that allowed them to utilize the volatility of players such as Lavi and Jebali - you could really see how much more willing they were to get stuck-in compared to the visitors.

Neta Lavi's logic put together with his physical prowess and experience makes him the perfect J-League centre-midfielder. He likes to play forward and is a monster in more than one channel of the pitch.

Player insight; Neta Lavi (28y/o) - 7.25 avr. rating - 0.32 goals per 90 - 0.32 assists per 90 - 2.56 accurate long pals per 90 - 49 passes per 90.

The added minutes just before half-time were just as volatile. An end-to-end desperacy overcame Shimizu S-Pulse, perhaps they knew what awaited them in the changing rooms.

Half time - Gamba Osaka 1 (52% possession, 0.32 xG) Shimizu S-Pulse 0 (50% possesion, 0.04 xG).

It was mostly a case of Shimizu being unable to create thanks to Gamba's strong midfield who broke up any form of build-up in their territory - with Neta Lavi and Tokuma Suzuki's co-operation with Shogo Sasaki being key in the startegy.

Play restarted with Gamba back on the ball - Shimizu getting a whiff of possession now and then, but once more, unable to use it.

It began to be more open, with both sides often dabbling on the ball attempting to mount any sort of attacks. However, play was halted after Sumiyoshi's elbow found Issam Jebali's head, giving him a knock and he needed medical attention.

Keisuke Kurokawa found Mitsuta with a premium inside pass in the 51st, tearing Shimizu open for the umpteenth time, but to no avail as the quality of finish is disappointing.

Uno found the target in the 53rd after an inspiring bit of football from Shimizu but the goalkeeper Ichimori caught it with no problem. Bizarrely, Ichimori was booked for kicking the ball away upon a free kick call.

Ryoya Yamashita was lucky not to be sent off as he had committed three fouls in total as of the 55th minute. The aggressive winger has been leading the press for Gamba.

Once again, Shimizu found a rare chance seconds later but the quality of finish costs them the chance - Nakahara unable to hit it properly.

Yuya Oki spilled the catch from a free kick and Gamba were all over the Shimizu box, but could not control it within into a finish. Shimizu used the opportunity to mount a counter but it was immediately foiled.

The 61st saw Mitsuta release Jebali with a quality backheel pass, and the striker unleashed a shot on course to wonderstrike only for Oki to be prepared for the finish.

Sumiyoshi gave away a very sloppy ball in Shimizu's own half in the 65th which practically sums up the game for the visitors - although Gamba gracefully collected the ball, nothing came of it.

Bueno demonstratred ability by out-playing three Gamba players on the ball and creating a Shimizu attack, but the press further down was too strong for the ineffective attack.

Riku Handa's awareness allowed Gamba to avoid trouble as he cleared the ball with a magnificient diving header out for a corner. The corner was delivered and Neta Lavi replied with a header of his own - personifying the hosts' tough energy today.

Once again, Riku Handa but this time going forward, allowed for Yamashita to create a chance for two Gamba men in the box -- with the attack ending in Jebali missing an open net!

The hosts just could not find the right finish to kill the game off, Shimizu still searching for a way to save their unbeaten start to the season.

Elsewhere, Urawa Red Diamonds picked up their first victory of the season, and Tokyo Verdy held off their hosts Albirex to a 2-2 deadlock.

Shimizu's introduction of Douglas and Ahmed Ahmedov in the 81st gave them a physical presence in the attack - something they needed to counter the likes of Neta Lavi and co.

18-year-old Motoki Nishihara is also subbed on.

Keisuke Kurokawa's specialty in providing angled passes into the inside of the pitch gave Issam Jebali the chance to provide hold-up play. The full-backs were a crucial part of Gamba Osaka's tactical approach, considering both wide men can hit the ball in a very specific way to cause problems.

The 85th saw Shimizu S-Pulse try for last-ditch desperate attempts, both Douglas and Ahmedov getting blocked shots in - before Ahmedov fell in the box - to the referee's disapproval of a penalty.

Shimizu pit a high line against Gamba in the 89th, attempting to retake control of the match before it ends. However, the hosts' midfield remains as vigilant as ever, with Shimizu only having had five minutes to use before time's up.