Gamba coach Akira Nishino was particularly pleased with the contribution of Masato Yamazaki. (AFP)

OSAKA – Gamba Osaka coach Akira Nishino was delighted to see everything go according to plan for his side as they booked their place in the ACL semi-finals with a 2-0 win over Al Karama.

The J. League side held a 2-1 advantage after winning last week’s quarter-final first leg in Syria and only needed to avoid conceding two goals to advance.

However, late strikes by substitute Masato Yamazaki and Brazilian striker Roni sealed a comprehensive 4-1 aggregate triumph.

“We had a good advantage after winning a tough game in Syria and our players played well today given the good situation that we were in,” Nishino said.

“We played with good possession in the first half and managed to use up the time on the clock.

“We were able to utilise our passing game better in the second half as I felt that we had better fitness than our opponents.

“I told the players at half-time that they should take control of the game. They did that and scored the goals that won us the game late on.”

The Gamba boss was especially pleased with the performance of Yamazaki who has had a difficult time finding the net in the J. League but scored after coming off the bench in both legs of the quarter-finals.

Nishino added: “I hope that he can bring his good form in the AFC Champions League to the J. League games as well. It seems he can score goals in difficult situations but doesn’t do so well with his easier chances!

“He showed that he is a good impact player today. I had considered playing him from the start but I had a feeling that he would do better coming off the bench and he did that by scoring again.

“In the end, everything went according to plan.”

Gamba’s win set up an all-Japanese clash against defending champions Urawa Reds in the semi-finals, a match-up that Nishino is eagerly looking forward to.

“I thought that when the draw was made, there was a good chance that we might be playing against Reds in the semi-finals,” he said.

“It will be an interesting encounter and I think that it will be a different kind of game from what we are used to in the J. League as it will be a different atmosphere and a different type of competition from what we are used to.

“I am looking forward to it. I believe that a Japanese team should be able to win the tournament and I hope that Gamba Osaka will be the ones to reach the final.”