Yokohama F. Marinos secured their first J1 League victory of the season with a 2-0 win against Gamba Osaka on March 16, 2025, at Nissan Stadium. The match, played under rainy conditions, saw Dai Tono score the opening goal with his left foot, utilizing his unique approach to give him confidence even with less precise shots. Tono’s goal came after he received the ball near the center of the pitch, dribbled forward, and fired from just outside the box. This marked Tono's first league goal since transferring, and he followed it with another strong performance.
The victory was significant for Yokohama FM, who were previously winless this season, facing Gamba Osaka, who aimed for their third consecutive win. Tono expressed, "It's my theory, but with my right foot, I have control, but with my left, there’s this feeling of security even with potentially inaccurate shots." His mindset contributed to the team’s success as they navigated through challenging periods during the match.
Despite starting brightly, Yokohama FM found themselves under pressure from Gamba Osaka, who began to dominate possession and create chances. Shortly after Tono's goal, Gamba Osaka had multiple opportunities, with notable attempts coming from players like Issam Jebali, whose attempts were staved off by goalkeeper Il-Gyu Park. The Marinos ended the first half leading 1-0, which was quite the achievement considering Gamba's consistent threat.
Gamba Osaka made tactical changes at halftime to regain momentum by injecting new energy with the introductions of players recovering from injury. They aimed to capitalize on their possession, pressing forward with urgency, yet the Yokohama defense held strong. Tono reflected on their defensive strategy, recognizing the need for improvement and coordination among teammates moving forward.
Yokohama FM, who also recently triumphed against Shanghai Port to advance to the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE), made five changes from their earlier lineup. Notable substitutions included Ryo Miyaichi and Sandy Walsh, as coach Steve Holland sought to find the right balance and energy to break their league duck.
Things changed for Yokohama FM when Kosuke Nakamachi scored the second goal, putting them comfortably up 2-0. This goal came late, at the 75th minute, from his controlled shot after receiving Tono’s clever assist. Nakamachi's precision capped off the victory and epitomized the team's potential resurgence as they look forward to improving their league performance before heading to Saudi Arabia for centralized matches starting April 2025.
Following the match, Tono acknowledged the challenges they faced saying, "We have room for growth. I don’t feel we can’t do it, and there were many moments where we thought, ‘if only we could do this differently.’ Communication is key, and we’ll work on it as we prepare for the next matches.” His optimism infused with determination indicates the team's readiness to regroup and refocus on their upcoming challenges.
With this win, Yokohama FM moves away from their early-season struggles, aiming to build on this momentum set against the backdrop of their stellar international performance. Meanwhile, Gamba Osaka faces questions over their attacking efficiency as they seek to bounce back from this disappointment.
The recent victory has reinvigorated hopes within the Yokohama camp, as excitement builds leading toward matches scheduled for April. This win represented not just points on the board but also the promise of what is possible for Yokohama F. Marinos as they continue to develop their squad alongside competitive fixtures.
With the league standing closely contested, every point counts, and both teams will need to refine their strategies to remain competitive. Team cohesion and tactical awareness will determine if Yokohama FM solidifies their position and if Gamba Osaka can redirect their form to capitalize on scoring opportunities. The future looks bright for Yokohama FM after their first win, igniting hopes of climbing the table with continued strong performances.
Yokohama F. Marinos 2 - 0 Gamba Osaka
Goals: Dai Tono (20'), Kosuke Nakamachi (75')
With their eyes set on the upcoming challenges, Yokohama FM can look forward to testing against tough opposition, but now with renewed confidence from their recent victory.