Gamba Osaka recovered from their semi-final beating by Manchester United to clinch third place in the Club World Cup.
They did it with a narrow victory over Mexican outfit Pachuca.
Masata Yamazaki's clinical first-half finish proved decisive, giving Gamba a deserved victory that lifts the rising stock of Asian football even more.
With the home supporters firmly behind them, unlike Thursday when Manchester United presence went beyond home team loyalty for some, Gamba picked up where they left off against the Red Devils.
As usual, Yasuhito Endo pulled all the strings for the J.League outfit. They had too much for Pachuca, who dominated possession but did little with it.
If a meeting between the powerhouses of Europe and South America was a fairly predictable way of ending the tournament, it seems Japan and Asia are earning the title of best of the rest.
Had FIFA's rules not prevented it, there would have been two Japanese teams in this tournament - one as hosts, one as Asian Champions League Winners.
As there were two J.League sides in the semi-finals of the AFC championship, Japan is now emerging as a force - even if on this week's showing, they are still some way behind Europe's finest.
Yamazaki broke the deadlock just before the half-hour when he latched on to Ryuij Bando's chipped cross and beat Miguel Calero with a neat finish.
Pachuca increased their efforts after the break, but Gamba still looked more threatening.
It was not until eight minutes from time that the Mexicans even looked like scoring. But Luis Montes' free-kick clipped the roof of the net, allowing Gamba to stroll home.
