Luck runs out for Gamba Osaka

After lifting their first ever Emperor's Cup title a week ago - following back-to-back extra-time victories in the semi-final and final - the luck has finally run out for Gamba Osaka, after the Suita-based side were handed a tough draw in the 2009 AFC Champions League.

Gamba only qualified for this year's draw by virtue of being crowned domestic Cup champions - apparently lifting the Asian Champions League isn't enough to allow you to back up and defend your title the following season - but Akira Nishino won't be particularly thrilled with a draw that pits Gamba against K-League runners-up FC Seoul, Chinese champions Shandong Luneng and Indonesian outfit Sriwijaya FC.

I caught FC Seoul in action last season and they'll be no pushovers, even if Seoul World Cup Stadium isn't necessarily the most hostile of venues.

Sumatra could certainly prove a hostile venue, however, and with Indonesian star Budi Sudarsono on Sriwijaya's books, Gamba will hardly relish a trip to the island to face the Indonesian side.

Nor will a match-up with Shandong Luneng provide much comfort - with clashes between Japanese and Chinese sides among the fiercest in Asian football.

Lucky for Gamba they've put their ACL winnings to good use then, with the latest arrival Brazilian striker Leandro from local rivals Vissel Kobe - with the burly hit man expected to partner fellow new recruit Cho Jae-Jin in attack.

It'll be a tough ask for Gamba to repeat their heroic double of 2008, however, and with the Osakans desperate to lift just a second ever J. League title, they will be wary of trying to balance their Champions League commitments with a demanding domestic schedule next season.