ACL: Warriors fall to late goals

SAFFC gave one of their best performance of the season but still went down 2-4 to Emperor Cup Champions Gamba Osaka.

The Warriors had dent the Japanese twice and just when it seem they could collect a point against the Japanese side they went down to late goals after winger Taisuke Akiyoshi was send off.

The Japanese side had taken the lead through Shoki Hirai but Erwan Gunawan equalised after being set up by ex-international Indra Sahdan.

However, moment after half-time Gamba took the lead again as Shoki Hirai pounded on a mistake by Shahril Jantan but the Warriors did not let it get to them as they slowly got themselves into the game.

Then, on the hour mark, Ex-Swedish international Niklas Sandberg headed in the Warriors second goal from an Ahmad Latiff freekick.

Gamba were clearly shaken as they send in their big gun and it paid off as Brazilian Ze Carlos caused problem for the Warriors in the remaining minutes he was on the field and he could have even mark it off with a goal.

But it was the sending off of winger Taisuke Akiyoshi that started it all and it was an unjust decision by the Qatari referee which even, the usually clam, Richard Bok had to question.

With an extra man, Gamba took advantage and Shoki Hirai was the main benefit as he notched two more goals with the Warriors defence stretched and starting to make mistake.

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2010

Group G

SAFFC 2-4 Gamba Osaka

Scorer: Erwan Gunawan 32', Niklas Sandberg 63'

14 Shahril Jantan (GK) (C) (1 Hyrulnizam Juma'at 89')

3 Razaleigh Khalik

4 Hafiz Osman
5 Niklas Sandberg
7 Ahmad Latiff Khamarudin
8 Daniel Bennett
9 Erwan Gunawan (12 Syaiful Iskandar 63')
11 Rhysh Roshan Rai
17 Indra Sahdan Daud
19 Mustaqim Manzur

21 Taisuke Akiyoshi