Gamba Osaka secured memorable passage to the AFC Champions League round of 16 when they edged Seongnam FC 2-1 on Wednesday to finish top of Group F.
In a comeback that bore resemblance to their domestic Treble win last year, Gamba fought back from two losses in their opening ACL fixtures to roar back into contention for progress to the latter stages.
Kenta Hasegawa’s outfit knew they had to win against Seongnam in order to match Buriram United’s earlier win over Guangzhou R&F.
But things initially swung out of their control when the Koreans took a 15th minute lead as Hwang Ui-jo unleashed a rocket that flew into the top corner.
Undeterred, the Japanese champions pressed for an equaliser and got it after an hour through Takashi Usami’s cross-cum-shot, leaving the 23-year-old celebrating his birthday with his second goal in as many ACL games.
With the job still needing to be finished, Lins came on to make his impact from the bench yet again, as he prodded home the crucial winner from Yasuhito Endo’s free-kick in the 82nd minute to send his elated team through.
Hasegawa will be eager for his men to replicate their show of resolve when they face another Korean rival, FC Seoul, in the round of 16 in two weeks.
