It’s all to play for after FC Machida Zelvia drew the first leg of their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 Round of 16 clash 0-0 away to Gangwon FC on Tuesday night.
The MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE side had the better of the first 45 minutes at Chuncheon Songam Sports Town Stadium, frequently threatening to open the scoring.
FC Machida’s first chance arrived in the 10th minute when Gen Shoji sent a long ball forward, but Yuki Soma couldn’t quite direct his header on target.
The visitors went close again three minutes later, when Hokuto Shimoda whipped in a cross from the left and Na Sangho sent a volley bouncing just off target.
Gangwon goalkeeper Park Chung-hyo was then called upon twice to keep the game scoreless, first dealing with a Daihachi Okamura header from a corner in the 20th minute and then denying Hotaka Nakamura one minute before half-time.
The closest FC Machida came to breaking the deadlock in the second period was when Soma fired a free-kick from 30 yards out just wide in the 52nd minute.
Hosts Gangwon then threatened on three occasions in the closing stages, each time courtesy of Abdalla Halaihal.
The substitute was unable to keep his first shot down in the 81st minute, firing over the bar under pressure from Okamura after a hopeful ball over the top.
Halaihal lashed another strike narrowly wide from distance one minute later, and then drew a fine save from Kosei Tani in the 88th minute - the FC Machida keeper getting down well to his left to tip the ball onto the post.
That meant the game ended all square, leaving things finely poised ahead of the decisive second leg at Machida City Nozuta park Stadium on Tuesday 10th March.
