High-flying Gamba Osaka stayed on course for their first J. League title in six years with a resounding 4-0 win over local rivals Vissel Kobe on Sunday.
Rafinha was the architect behind Gamba's third win in a row, the Brazilian striker setting up goals for Takuya Takei, Kim Seung Yong and Lee Keun Ho in a one-sided affair at Home's Stadium. Takahiro Futagawa sealed victory in second-half injury time to keep Gamba top of the table going into the international break.
Gamba improved to 50 points with 10 games left in the season, one point ahead of reigning champion Nagoya Grampus, which came from a goal down to hammer Ventforet Kofu 4-1 at home, Jungo Fujimoto grabbing a goal in each half and Keiji Tamada scoring a stunning equalizer for his 11th of the season.