The MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE got underway in style on Friday night, as FC Machida Zelvia and Sanfrecce Hiroshima claimed Regional Round Match Week 1 wins away to Yokohama F･Marinos and V-Varen Nagasaki, respectively, while Vissel Kobe edged Kyoto Sanga F.C. in a penalty shoot-out.
Erik struck the first goal of the season in the eighth minute at Nissan Stadium, carving his way into the penalty area before firing beyond Yokohama F･M goalkeeper Park Ilgyu to set FC Machida on their way to a 3-2 victory.
Daiya Tono levelled things up for the hosts in the 16th minute, slotting home a penalty after a handball by Neta Lavi, but Erik re-established FC Machida’s lead just one minute later, stealing in to capitalise upon an under-hit back-pass from Ren Kato.
Yuki Soma then made it 3-1 in the second minute of first-half stoppage time, bending a sensational free-kick over the wall and into the net from more than 25 yards out.
Yokohama F･M captain Jordy Croux cut the deficit to a single goal midway through the second period, slamming in an unstoppable strike in the 67th minute, but FC Machida managed to hang on and take all three points.
Hiroshima also picked up the maximum bounty available to them, sealing a 3-1 win in the Peace Match against Nagasaki.
Shuto Nakano started the scoring in the 35th minute at PEACE STADIUM Connected by SoftBank, cutting terrifically inside with a crisp turn, then keeping his cool to guide the ball into the net.
Debutant Akito Suzuki made it 2-0 five minutes into the second half, seizing upon a ball in behind and opening his Hiroshima account by calmly tucking in across goal, before Hayao Kawabe added a third in the 54th minute with a deadly finish from Shunki Higashi’s tempting cross.
Matheus Jesus was on hand to pull one back for Nagasaki late on, tapping in from close range after Norman Campbell had played the ball in from the right in the 81st minute.
Penalties were needed to determine a winner at SANGA STADIUM by KYOCERA, meanwhile, where Kyoto and Kobe drew 1-1.
Yoshinori Muto put Kobe ahead in the 37th minute - rifling across goal and in off the far post after a sumptuous ball into his path from Yuya Osako - before Marco Tulio swept home an equaliser from Rafael Elias’ pass in the 53rd minute.
Kobe then emerged as 4-1 victors from the shootout, scoring all four of their spot-kicks as Rafael Elias and Hidehiro Sugai both missed from 12 yards for Kyoto.
Yokohama F•Marinos vs FC Machida Zelvia - Game Highlights | MW1
V-Varen Nagasaki vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima - Game Highlights | MW1
Kyoto Sanga F.C. vs Vissel Kobe - Game Highlights | MW1
