On March 29, 2025, Albirex Niigata faced Gamba Osaka at home in a thrilling match that ended in a 3-3 draw. This result marked the seventh consecutive league game without a win for Niigata, leaving them at the bottom of the J1 League standings.
The excitement kicked off early in the match. Just 18 minutes in, Niigata's forward Yuji Komeno, making his first appearance of the season, received a pass from defender Maiki Ryuyoji James. Komeno skillfully dribbled down the right side and delivered a precise cross that was met by midfielder Genki Haraguchi, who headed the ball into the net to give Niigata an early lead.
However, Gamba Osaka was quick to respond. In the 43rd minute, forward Issam Jebali leveled the score after a well-timed pass from midfielder Fan Alarcon. Jebali capitalized on a defensive lapse and found the back of the net, sending the teams into halftime tied at 1-1.
The second half saw both teams pushing for dominance. Niigata had a chance to regain the lead when Komeno attempted a shot from a free kick, but Gamba's goalkeeper Masaaki Higashiguchi made a spectacular save to deny him. Niigata continued to press, and in the 11th minute of the second half, midfielder Yota Komi also came close with a shot that was thwarted by Higashiguchi.
As the match progressed, Gamba Osaka struck again. In the 62nd minute, Jebali scored his second goal of the match, putting Gamba ahead 2-1. This time, he took advantage of a defensive error, finishing from close range after a swift counterattack.
Yet, Niigata was not done yet. In the 74th minute, they equalized once more. Midfielder Jin Okumura, who had come off the bench, found the net with a clever shot following a cross from the left side. The crowd erupted as the home team tied the game at 2-2.
Just three minutes later, Niigata took the lead again. Komi intercepted a pass and dribbled into the penalty area before delivering a cross to forward Ken Yamura, who expertly controlled the ball and fired it into the goal, making it 3-2 for Niigata.
With time running out, it seemed like Niigata might finally secure their first league victory since September 14, 2024. However, disaster struck in the dying moments of the match. In the 90+5th minute, Gamba Osaka was awarded a penalty kick after a handball was called against Niigata in their penalty area. Miki Uza stepped up to take the penalty and converted it, leveling the score once again at 3-3.
As the final whistle blew, both teams were left with mixed feelings. Niigata's players were visibly disappointed, having led the match twice only to let it slip away at the end. Meanwhile, Gamba Osaka celebrated salvaging a point from a match that had looked grim for them at various stages.
This match was notable not only for its dramatic twists but also for highlighting the struggles of Albirex Niigata, who now find themselves the only winless team in the league. Their performance showed promise, particularly with Komeno's impactful return and the resilience displayed by the team. However, the inability to close out the match raises concerns as they look to turn their season around.
With the league continuing to heat up, both teams will need to regroup quickly. Niigata will aim to finally secure that elusive win, while Gamba Osaka will look to build on this draw as they push for a better position in the standings.
