Gamba Osaka squandered a two-goal lead, missed a penalty and conceded a last-gasp equalizer as their slim hopes of reaching the knockout phase of the Asian Champions League suffered a major blow with a 3-3 draw at home to Australia's Adelaide United on Tuesday.
But it was not all bad news for Japanese clubs in the continent's elite competition, as Kawasaki Frontale scored their first win of the group phase, edging South Korea's Suwon Bluewings 1-0 away to stay in the hunt for a place in the last 16 in Group G.
In the Group H match at Suita Stadium, Gamba looked to be cruising after two goals early in the first half from Shun Nagasawa and Ritsu Doan, but Sergio Cirio struck for Adelaide in the 43rd minute and Jordan O'Doherty made it 2-2 nine minutes into the second period.