Striker Takayuki Nakahara completed a miserable week for Gamba Osaka with a sublime first-half strike to give Albirex Niigata a surprise 1-0 home win in the J. League on Sunday.
Fabricio of Jubilo Iwata shoots past Ventforet Kofu defender Michitaka Akimoto at Yamaha Stadium.
Nakahara's effort against the run of play denied Gamba the chance to reclaim top spot in the first division and added to the visitor's disappointment of a midweek defeat that severely dented its hopes of a place in the Asian Champions League quarterfinals.
Despite the loss, Gamba remained second in the table on 22 points from 10 games, one behind Urawa Reds, while Niigata climbed into eighth on 16 points.