On March 16, 2025, at Nissan Stadium, Yokohama F. Marinos achieved their first league victory of the season by defeating Gamba Osaka 2-0. This match, which was part of the J1 Section 6, marked a significant turnaround for Yokohama FM, who had previously struggled with no wins, placing them temporarily at the bottom of the league standings.
The win was spurred by standout performances, particularly from midfielder Daichi Torano, who opened the scoring just 20 minutes after the start. A precise pass from Yang Mateus allowed Torano to take control before unleashing a powerful left-footed strike. The ball found its way to the bottom right corner of the net, giving Yokohama FM the lead.
Despite Gamba Osaka maintaining 54% ball possession and launching 24 shots throughout the match, their efforts were thwarted by Yokohama's goalkeeper, Il-gyu Park, whose steady performance ensured the home side preserved their clean sheet. Park demonstrated remarkable reflexes, making consistently solid saves against repeated Gamba threats.
The second goal came 30 minutes after halftime, solidifying the victory for the home side. Forward Yuito Uenaka took advantage of a perfectly timed pass from Torano, executing a well-placed shot. His ball hit the underside of the crossbar before finding the net, marking his second goal of the league season.
Yokohama FM's coach expressed relief and determination following the match, emphasizing how their fans’ support played a pivotal role during their challenging start to the season. "It took us quite some time to achieve our first win, but the cheers from our supporters truly became a driving force for us," Torano stated, reflecting the sentiments shared by many players after securing the victory.
On the flip side, Gamba Osaka head coach Daniel Poyatos lamented his team's missed opportunities. "We had moments throughout the match where we could have capitalized, yet we failed to convert our chances,” Poyatos remarked. He acknowledged the strong performance by Yokohama FM but emphasized their own shortcomings, insisting they had played well across various facets of the game.
Despite the loss, this match marked the end of Gamba Osaka’s two-game winning streak, leaving them to regroup and find strategies for the upcoming matches, especially as they aim to remain competitive within the league. The Gamba players, including influential forward Takashi Usami, who was substituted to bolster the attack, expressed their frustrations but are hopeful for the matches to come.
The refereeing team for this encounter included Neisen Felbome as the main official, with Naoto Uehara as the fourth official, and the assistant referees being Takeshi Watada and Makoto Hibi. The attendance for the match was recorded at 23,169, under rainy conditions with light winds, creating a somewhat challenging environment for both teams.
Statistically, Yokohama had 46% of the total ball possession, managed to take 7 shots with 6 on target, and made 479 successful passes with a rate of 78.3%. Meanwhile, Gamba Osaka recorded 24 shots, with 10 on target, completing 612 passes at a 78.4% success rate, highlighting their attempts to control the game.
Continuing their campaign, Yokohama will face future matches with renewed confidence after this success, with players committed to maintaining their momentum. The aim is clear: fight for victory each match. “We are entering this series of games with the intention of winning every one of them,” stated Torano, indicating the team's focus and drive moving forward.
For Gamba Osaka, the loss presents both challenges and opportunities. With shifts needed to regain their rhythm, Poyatos is adamant about using the positive elements from their recent performance as stepping stones for improvement. Fans eagerly await the next matches to see if their squads can adjust accordingly and rise back up the standings.