Asian Champions League: Gamba Osaka ends Melbourne's quarterfinal hopes

Masato Yamazaki scored a pair of goals Wednesday to lead Gamba Osaka to a 2-0 win over Melbourne Victory, ending the Australian club's chances of progressing in the Asian Champions League.

The win extended Gamba's lead atop Group G, with only one team to progress to the quarterfinals.

Defeat left Melbourne with only three points from four games, and it now can not catch Gamba.

Yamazaki put his team on top in the 32nd minute when he took a perfect pass from Yasuhito Endo and beat the Melbourne goalkeeper from close range.

Striker Danny Allsopp had a glorious chance to equalize for the visitors late in the first half when he hit the crossbar in the 42nd minute with a blast from inside the area.

Yamazaki gave the hosts a 2-0 lead when he redirected an Endo free kick in the 56th minute.