TOKYO: Brazilian striker Patric scored two classic poacher’s goals as Gamba Osaka beat Urawa Reds to retain the Emperor’s Cup on Friday.

Urawa who shattered their J-League title hopes last season and once more plunged a dagger through their hearts on the big stage.

Patric fired Gamba into the lead on 32 minutes in Tokyo after cleverly springing the offside trap. Shinzo Koroki equalised for the Reds minutes later, smashing home a left-foot shot from close range.

But Patric restored Gamba’s advantage by sweeping home a Yasuhito Endo corner eight minutes into second half, delighting blue half of a New Year’s Day crowd of 43,000.