Osaka into J1 League final with bizarre play

J1 League outfit Gamba Osaka qualified for the Championship Final in bizarre fashion as a near own goal clipped the post before they launched a clinical counter-attack.

Gamba Osaka's Brazilian striker Patric Source: Getty Images

Osaka’s Yasuyuki Konno had broken the stalemate in the second-half only for Urawa Reds' Zlatan Ljubijankić to draw the game level from point-blank range with 20 minutes to play.

The game edged into extra-time and was full of suspense only for an incredible 30 seconds to cut the tension like a knife.

Gamba’s Daiki Niwa almost played the villain as his chipped back pass went over the head of his goalkeeper.

Fortunately, the ball struck the post and within five passes his side had raced into a 2-1 lead. Talk about riding your luck.

The killer goal was added from Patric, who latched on to a free-kick with a neat touch, as Osaka qualified for the Championship Final, where they will face Sanfrecce Hiroshima.