Gamba Osaka has kicked off their training in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, in preparation for their upcoming match against Al Nassr in the AFC Champions League final, set to take place next Saturday. These preparations come after a long journey that began at Kansai International Airport, lasting approximately 11 hours with a short layover in Dubai before arriving in Riyadh.
The team conducted their first training session at the training ground of Al Nassr Club, where players started with fitness exercises to reactivate their muscles after the strenuous travel. They gradually transitioned to ball drills, increasing the intensity through small-sided games. Despite the temperature being at 34 degrees Celsius, the absence of direct sunlight allowed players to move more comfortably.
Details of the Event
Defender Shinosuke Nakatani spoke about the team's atmosphere upon arriving in Riyadh, noting that the primary goal of the first session was to shake off the travel fatigue and time zone difference. He confirmed that the team has not yet fully ramped up their physical workload, but he feels that the players have regained their energy after two days of rest prior to the travel.
Nakatani added that the team learned from their loss in the Emperor's Cup final two years ago, when players entered the match without showing their full passion. He indicated that Gamba this season has played numerous matches where they displayed a strong character and great emotion on the field, which instills confidence in the players ahead of the continental final.
Background & Context
In a related context, Ryotaro Meshino explained that the coaching staff requested players to mentally detach from the final atmosphere during their rest period to achieve full recovery. He confirmed that the team succeeded in this prior to heading to Riyadh, mentioning that the feeling of a 'big final' has not fully taken over them yet, but he expects excitement to gradually build as the match date approaches.
Meanwhile, Ren Mito confirmed that he utilized his absence from the last match in the Japanese league to focus on enhancing his physical readiness for the continental final. He emphasized that he will enter the match with everything he has, noting that the team has gone through a long series of exhausting matches in recent weeks.
Impact & Consequences
The training session also saw the participation of all three goalkeepers, led by first-choice keeper Masaki Higashiguchi, who underwent special training before joining the small-sided games. Higashiguchi stated that the players are still dealing with the time difference and fatigue from travel, but the previous rest period helped the team arrive in Riyadh in good physical condition.
He pointed out that the atmosphere within the team will begin to rise gradually as the match date approaches, emphasizing that such major matches are decided by mental factors above all else. He stressed the importance of the team trusting in what they have accomplished throughout the tournament and entering the final with a strong character.
Regional Significance
Gamba Osaka concluded their first day in Riyadh after a training session lasting about an hour and 15 minutes, with some players noting the dryness that increased their thirst. This match is an opportunity to highlight Asian football and strengthen sports relations between Arab countries and Japan.
In conclusion, Gamba Osaka aims to achieve a historic accomplishment in the AFC Champions League final, reflecting the development of football in the region and enhancing its status on the international stage.