Hiroshima captures J-League title with 4-3 aggregate win

HIROSHIMA, Japan (AP) - Sanfrecce Hiroshima won the J-League title for the third time in four years on Saturday, defeating Gamba Osaka 4-3 on aggregate.

Substitute Takuma Asano's headed goal with 12 minutes left - after a first-half goal by Yasuyuki Konno - gave Hiroshima a 1-1 draw, following its 3-2 victory in Osaka on Wednesday.

Hirsohima qualifies for the Club World Cup tournament and faces Oceania representatives Auckland City in the opening match on Thursday.

Gamba, last season's treble winners, needed to win by at least two goals to successfully defend their title.

Konno gave Gamba the lead in the 27th minute when he redirected a corner taken by Yasuhito Endo but Asano equalized after a cross from Yoshifumi Kashiwa in the 78th.