Hideo Hashimoto helped chase away Gamba Osaka's Asian Champions League blues by scoring the winner in a 2-1 defeat of Yokohama F. Marinos in the J. League on Sunday.
Hashimoto capitalized on a blunder by Yokohama goalkeeper Hiroki Iikura to give Gamba its first league win in four matches while champions Kashima Antlers also rebounded from their ACL exit to beat bottom club Oita Trinita 2-1 and restore their seven-point lead at the top of the table.
Gamba came into the match in need of a tonic after its defense of the ACL title came to a shuddering halt following a shock 3-2 defeat to Kawasaki Frontale in the round of 16 on Wednesday.