Urawa Reds will be looking to knock a monkey off their back and shoot down holders Gamba Osaka in the latest high-stakes clash between the J. League titans in the Emperor's Cup final on Friday, the last day of the Japanese season.
Reds allowed the J. League title to slip from their grasp with a devastating defeat to eventual champions Gamba late last season, and there was a sense of deja vu for Mihailo Petrovic's men in this year's Championship semifinal at the end of November.
Late goals from Hiroki Fujiharu and Brazilian striker Patric sent Gamba into the Championship final with a 3-1 extra-time win at Saitama, with Fujiharu's strike coming on a counterattack just seconds after Gamba defender Daiki Niwa nearly scored a freak own goal at the other end.