On a particularly painful road: even after the fourth round, Gamba Osaka and Neta Lavi are still undefeated. The team in blue and black lost today (Sunday) 2:1 to Senparka Hiroshima, due to a controversial penalty in extra time – caused (as the referee claimed) by the Israeli midfielder. Osaka with only 2 points after four rounds, and is in 17th and penultimate place.
The decisive moment happened in the second minute of added time: Hiroshima’s striker, Nassim Ben Khalifa, entered the box and a doubt was thwarted by Lavi. Referee Akahiki Itauchi chose to whistle for a penalty – but the TV cameras clearly showed that Ben Khalifa was the one who sent the foot into Lavi’s path. Despite this, and after the VAR check, Itachi stuck to his decision – and Makoto Mitsuta scored from the spot to make it 1:2, which lasted until the end.
Ben Khalifa and Hiroshima experienced a successful evening for them, which started in the second minute after the Swiss striker scored from close range with a corner kick. In the 70th minute, Osaka managed to equalize with a beautiful individual effort by the local Takashi Usami. Gamba almost held on to their draw, but eventually succumbed to a penalty – and lost for the second time this season in the Japanese league.