Vissel Kobe goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu puts in a man-of-the-match performance as 'Ushi' (The Cows) beat last year's runners-up Gamba Osaka 1-0 in Japan's J.League on Saturday (20th August).

Third-place Gamba Osaka were looking to move closer to the top of the Japanese J-league second stage standings as they entertained mid-table Vissel Kobe on Saturday.

Their plans, however, were derailed after Kobe broke the deadlock in the 15th minute.

Pedro Junior (7) pounced on a loose ball after Osaka goalkeeper Masaaki Higashiguchi could only parry Takuya Iwanami's (5) close range shot.

The visitors had the chance to double their advantage just before the break, but Higashiguchi pulled off a fine save to deny Yuya Nakasaka (31).

Gamba were presented with a golden opportunity to draw level on the hour mark.

Kobe skipper Kazuma Watanabe (19) was judged to have fouled Yasuyuki Konno (15) in the box and Osaka were awarded a penalty.

Sao Paulo loanee Ademilson (9) stepped up to take it, but Kobe goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu saved his effort with an outstretched arm.

Kim thwarted Gamba again in the 71st minute when he tipped a close-range volley from Yasuhito Endo (7) over the crossbar.

Vissel Kobe held on for a 1-0 victory - a win that takes them to 16 points from nine games - one point behind third-placed Osaka and six behind joint leaders Kawasaki Frontale and Urawa Reds.