Gamba Osaka midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi (2nd from R) goes on the attack during an Asian Champions League group-stage match against South Korea's Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent on July 10, 2021. (Kyodo)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Gamba Osaka crashed out of the Asian Champions League on Saturday after finishing the group stage with a 2-1 defeat to South Korea's Jeonbuk Motors.

       The loss at Tashkent's Bunyodkor Stadium saw Gamba finish second in Group H with two wins, three draws and one loss -- seven points behind unbeaten group winners Jeonbuk.

       Needing a win to reach the knockout stage as one of the best three runners-up, Gamba quickly fell behind on a penalty before equalizing early in the second half with a thumping volley from Patric.

       With nine second-half shots on goal, last year's J-League runners-up were left ruing missed opportunities after Jeonbuk substitute Modou Barrow struck the winner in the 88th minute.

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