Ratchaburi, Thailand, March 12, 2026, Gamba Osaka held their nerve to defeat Ratchaburi FC 2-1 after extra time on Wednesday at Ratchaburi Stadium. As a result, the Japanese side moved into the AFC Champions League Two East Zone semi-finals with a 3-2 win on aggregate.
After a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Japan, the return match stayed tight for long stretches. Gamba took the lead through defender Genta Miura, but Ratchaburi answered soon after halftime when Brazilian forward Gleyson found the net. With the score locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes, the game went to extra time, and it looked set for penalties. Then Welton Felipe stepped in with a dramatic strike in the 99th minute to send Gamba through.
While Gamba celebrated another step forward in continental play, Ratchaburi earned plenty of respect for pushing the tie to the final moments.
Watch the Match Highlights
- 29′ – Genta Miura (Gamba Osaka 1-0 Ratchaburi FC): Miura rose in the box and powered in a header from a well-placed set piece, giving Gamba the advantage in a tense first half.
- 50′ – Gleyson (Ratchaburi FC 1-1 Gamba Osaka): Right after the restart, Gleyson pounced on a defensive mistake and finished well, bringing the home crowd to life.
- 99′ – Welton Felipe (Ratchaburi FC 1-2 Gamba Osaka): Deep into extra time, Welton struck from range to put Gamba back in front and clinch the quarter-final.
Even with the late heartbreak, Ratchaburi goalkeeper Kampol Pathomakkakul stood out and took player-of-the-match honors. He produced several big saves that kept Ratchaburi alive until the closing minutes.
Chances came at both ends, but clear looks were hard to find in open play. Gamba controlled the ball for long spells (about 60% overall), yet Ratchaburi stayed dangerous on the break and refused to fade. Because neither side could find a winner in regulation, extra time settled it.
Gamba Osaka Performance and Key Players
Gamba Osaka stayed organized and took their chances when it mattered most, and that calm approach carried them over the line.
Gamba Osaka Key Statistics (vs Ratchaburi FC)
- Goals: 2 (Miura 29′, Welton 99′)
- Shots on Target: 7
- Possession: 58%
- Passes Completed: 512 (85% accuracy)
- Corners: 6
- Yellow Cards: 3
- Standout Players:
- Genta Miura: Scored early and helped hold the back line together.
- Welton Felipe: Made his mark off the bench with the extra-time winner.
- Goalkeeper: Came up with key saves late to protect the lead.
With this result, Gamba kept their strong tournament run going after solid earlier rounds.
Ratchaburi FC’s Strong Showing
Ratchaburi FC battled all night and left the tournament with their heads up, even though the tie slipped away late.
Ratchaburi FC Key Statistics (vs Gamba Osaka)
- Goals: 1 (Gleyson 50′)
- Shots on Target: 5
- Possession: 42%
- Passes Completed: 378 (79% accuracy)
- Corners: 4
- Yellow Cards: 4
- Standout Players:
- Gleyson: Took his chance well and stayed a threat up front.
- Kampol Pathomakkakul: Earned man-of-the-match praise after a string of saves (8.5 rating).
- Defense: Kept Gamba quiet for long periods and forced extra time.
Reaching the quarter-finals marked a strong AFC Champions League Two campaign for the Thai club, and they pushed a more established opponent all the way.
Post-Match Reaction
After the final whistle, the Gamba Osaka coach pointed to his team’s mindset: “It was a tough game in difficult conditions, but the players stayed strong and got the job done in extra time. Welton’s goal was a special moment, and now we turn our attention to the semi-finals.”
From the Ratchaburi camp, the message was about effort and progress: “We gave everything against a strong Japanese team. The fans were amazing, and we’ll grow from this experience.”
Next, Gamba Osaka moves on to the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 East Zone semi-finals, while Ratchaburi FC bows out after a memorable run and valuable experience on the continental stage.
