River were not keen on making the trip to Japan for the Suruga Bank championship given that they will be returning in December for the World Club Cup but Marcelo Gallardo added another title to his burgeoning collection with a comfortable 3-0 win over Gamba Osaka. The Suruga Bank pits the Copa Sudamericana champions against the J League Cup winners and is normally a tight affair.
Earlier in Osaka, however, River became the first side to win the title by more than a one-goal margin. Carlos Sánchez smashed Los Millonarios in front from the penalty spot early on and Gabriel Mercado climbed above his marker to send a looping header into the back of the Gamba goal.
Gonzalo ‘Pity’ Martínez added the goal of the game when he cut in from the right to curl the ball into the far corner with thirty minutes remaining and River cruised to the final whistle to lift the trophy.
The Suruga Bank is a pretty meaningless trophy but it is another confidence boost for River ahead of their return to Japan in December, where Barcelona will no doubt provide a far bigger test than Gamba Osaka.
golazo argentino 