Gamba Osaka beat Jeonbuk Motors in a 3-2 thriller at Osaka's Expo Stadium on Wednesday night to set up an Asian Champions League semifinal against Chinese heavyweights Guangzhou Evergrande, ensuring Japan will have a representative in Asia's premier club competition's final four.
A 94th-minute goal by Koki Yonekura saved Gamba after Urko Vera scored what looked like it would be the deciding away-goal equalizer in the 88th.
The late flurry followed a 76th-minute goal by Shu Kurata that put the hosts ahead after Jeonbuk fought hard to maintain a 1-1 deadlock. Gamba's Patric had earlier canceled out Leonardo's early penalty for Jeonbuk.