Yokohama F. Marinos achieved their first league victory of the season with a 2-0 win over Gamba Osaka on March 16, 2025, at Nissan Stadium. The match marked not only a much-needed win for the squad but also the first J-League victory for manager Harry Kewell.
Following a shaky start characterized by defensive mistakes and several attempts on goal by Gamba Osaka, Yokohama's goalkeeper, Park I-kyu, produced several key saves to maintain the score at 0-0 early on. The atmosphere shifted dramatically when Ryoma Tawa, receiving a pass from forward Jan Matheus around the 20th minute, dribbled past defenders and struck with ferocity, sending the ball to the right side of the goal to open the scoring.
This goal marked Tawa's first since his transfer, having scored previously during his time with ACL E against Shanghai Harbor. Following the lead, Yokohama F.M continued to face challenges as Gamba Osaka pushed hard for equalization. Yet again, Park's heroics prevented any goals from slipping through. The first half ended with Yokohama holding on to their 1-0 lead.
Despite being on the back foot for parts of the match, Yokohama managed to extend their lead around the 75th minute. Midfielder, Uenaka, unleashed a powerful left-footed shot from outside the box, sending the ball with precision past the Gamba defense and solidifying the team's 2-0 advantage.
On the other end of the field, Ryota Miyachi, who transitioned from attacker to side-back this season, played a pivotal defensive role, helping his team secure their first clean sheet of the season. After the match, he spoke about this change in position. "The clean sheet is confidence for the team," Miyachi shared, emphasizing his view of the game and his responsibility.
Reflecting on his new role and how it diverges from his previous position, he remarked, "It's fun. I want to meet the team's expectations for utilizing me there, and more than anything, I'm happy we could secure the three points today." His ability to adapt was evident, not only assisting defensively but by providing stability under pressure from Gamba Osaka's forward line.
The win lifted Yokohama F.M to one win, three draws, and one loss after five games this season. For Kewell, this victory serves as reassurance of his strategies and methods after recent mixed results. The team displayed resilience and determination on the pitch which will hopefully set the tone for the remainder of the season.
Yokohama and their supporters can take heart from this well-fought win as they look to improve their standing and target continued success under Kewell's leadership. With players like Tawa and Miyachi stepping up, the future looks promising for the club.