AFC Champions League 2: Jebali earns MOTM, Gamba Osaka advance to final

Former Tunisia national team attacker Issam Jebali delivered a Man of the Match performance for Gamba Osaka on Wednesday as the Japanese club advanced to the final of the AFC Champions League 2.

 

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The veteran produced a goal and an assist to help the visitors overcome a 0-1 first leg defeat at home to win 3-0 in Wednesday’s second leg.

The victory secures the Nerazzurri as the representatives of the Eastern region in the competition’s final, which will see the Japanese club face one of four candidates from the Western region which includes Saudi Pro League giants Al Nassr and Al Ahli Doha of Qatar.

An opportunistic Bangkok United side did brilliantly to snatch a victory in the first leg but fortune did not favor them this time around. The visitors continued to dominate the ball and were rewarded in the 19th minute when Ryoya Yamashita followed up to fire in from close range after Jebali set up an initial shot that was blocked.

 

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Jebali played a role in the first goal and then took center stage after Yamashita leveled the aggregate score. A penalty kick was awarded close to halftime and after failing to convert his spot kick, Jebali followed up to put the visitors ahead 2-0.

Hosts Bangkok showed more adventure in the second half but it was too little too late. In the 82nd minute, Jebali’s precision pass from midfield found Ryotaro Meshino in a pocket of space for the substitute forward to finish off the 3-1 aggregate victory.

The final will take place on May 16 at the home of the West region representatives. The West region is currently in its semifinal phase, which will take place on Sunday in Dubai before the regional final three days later at the same venue.

Jebali plays big role for surprise AFC Champions League 2 finalists

At 34 years of age, Jebali continues to play a substantial role in his fourth season with the club. The former Odense star has over 100 appearances with Gamba Osaka and his experience has been a big boost in continental competition even as the club’s domestic fortunes have waned.

He represented Tunisia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, appearing in all three matches for the Eagles of Carthage. The former Étoile du Sahel attacker also represented his country at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.