Substitute Ryuji Bando hit an extra-time winner as Asian club champion Gamba Osaka wrapped up an extraordinary but exhausting season by beating Kashiwa Reysol 1-0 to capture the Emperor's Cup on Thursday.
Gamba had goalkeeper Yosuke Fujigaya to thank for a series of excellent saves in regulation time before Bando popped up to stab home the decider with just four minutes of extra time remaining at National Stadium.
Victory in the 88th Emperor's Cup final ensured Gamba a place in next year's Asian Champions League, where it will defend the continental title it claimed with a 5-0 aggregate victory over Australia's Adelaide United in November.