FC Machida Zelvia secured the victory they needed to progress to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 on Tuesday, winning the second leg of their Round of 16 tie against Gangwon FC 1-0 thanks to Hotaka Nakamura’s first-half header.
With the first leg having finished scoreless both teams knew it was winner-takes-all at Machida City Nozuta park Stadium, and the hosts burst out of the traps as Yuki Soma sent a low shot skidding into the side-netting in the third minute.
Gangwon also went in search of an early opener, Song Jun-seok firing at FC Machida goalkeeper Kosei Tani in the 10th minute.
MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE side FC Machida did then break the deadlock 15 minutes later, as Nakamura stole in superbly at the back post to arrow a perfect header home after Na Sangho’s tempting cross from the left.
Na almost made it 2-0 in the 35th minute, cutting into the penalty area and stinging the palms of Gangwon goalkeeper Park Chung-hyo.
It was then time for FC Machida’s rearguard to shine in the early exchanges of the second half, as they denied Gangwon three times in a matter of seconds in the 49th minute.
First up, Yuta Nakayama blocked an attempt from Abdalla Halaihal, before Tani denied Kim Dae-won with consecutive saves as the ball twice rebounded to him inside the area.
FC Machida came close to adding some gloss to the win with 11 minutes remaining when Na got in behind, but Park Chung-hyo blocked his way to goal and Kim Do-hyun lashed the ball to safety.
There was then a nervy finish as a VAR check took place for a possible Gangwon penalty deep into injury time, but with nothing ultimately awarded FC Machida were able to celebrate their place in the next round.
