Gamba enter final

TOKYO: Japanese title holders Gamba Osaka broke Urawa Reds hearts once again on Saturday after beating their rivals 3-1 in extra time and reaching the J-League championship final.

Late goals from Hiroki Fujiharu and Brazilian Patric sent the 2014 treble winners through to the two-legged championship final against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, who qualified directly after finishing with most points over the season’s two stages.

Former Japan defender Yasuyuki Konno silenced the crowd in Saitama by firing the opener at the start of the second half before Reds substitute Zlatan Ljubijankic headed the equaliser from close range on 72 minutes.

But Fujiharu celebrated his 27th birthday with a superb volley two minutes before end of extra time and Patric added insult to injury for home side.