Gamba Osaka beat Mexico's Pachuca 1-0 on Sunday to claim a second consecutive third-place finish for a Japanese team at the Club World Cup.
Masato Yamazaki converted a Ryuji Bando through-ball in the 29th minute to secure Gamba the bronze medal on Sunday, emulating Urawa Reds' achievement in last year's edition of the intercontinental club competition.
Gamba manager Akira Nishino bristled at comparisons with archrival Urawa, but nonetheless expressed satisfaction at a successful conclusion to his side's first appearance on the world stage.