Katsuya Ishihara scored a bizarre 60th-minute winner Sunday as Ventforet Kofu pulled off a shock 3-2 home win over Gamba Osaka and sentenced the visitors to their first defeat in 10 matches in the J. League.
Ventforet Forward Kotaro Yamazaki (left) and Gamba forward Ryuji Bando compete for the ball in Sunday's game at Kose Sports Park Stadium. Kofu edged Osaka 3-2.
KYODO PHOTOIshihara put Kofu 3-0 up on the hour after a botched clearance from Brazilian defender Sidiclei ricocheted off the midfielder's legs and despite a Gamba fight back, Takeshi Oki's men held on for a well-deserved win in torrential rain at Kose Sports Park.
Gamba's defeat saw them drop into second in the table on goal difference behind Urawa Reds, who hammered Kyoto Purple Sanga 5-1 away on Saturday. Both teams have 55 points with nine games of the season remaining.