Both the 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE sides in AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 action on Tuesday managed to pick up points on the road, as FC Machida Zelvia won 3-1 away to Gangwon FC and Sanfrecce Hiroshima claimed a 1-1 draw at Chengdu Rongcheng FC.
FC Machida took the lead in the 24th minute at Chuncheon Songam Sports Town Stadium, when Na Sangho’s cross into the box looped up after a slight deflection and Asahi Masuyama guided a terrific ball across goal on the volley, leaving Keiya Sento with the simplest task of nodding home.
Hokuto Shimoda doubled his side’s advantage four minutes later, when he bent a beautiful free-kick over the Gangwon wall with his left foot and into the top corner of the net.
Things got even better for FC Machida six minutes before the break, as Sento won possession by the byline and cut the ball back to Oh Se Hun, who gleefully converted with a controlled finish.
FC Machida goalkeeper Kosei Tani was called into a smart save nine minutes into the second half when he tipped Kim Gun Hee’s header behind, but Gangwon did manage to pull a goal back from the resultant corner as Park Ho Yeong headed home Kim Kang Guk’s delivery in the 55th minute.
There weren't any further goals after that though, leaving FC Machida to celebrate their second victory in this year’s competition.
Meanwhile, Hiroshima joined FC Machida on eight points after coming from behind to earn a draw against Chengdu.
The hosts started aggressively as they looked to steal an early advantage at Phoenix Hill Sports Park Football Stadium, and Hiroshima goalkeeper Keisuke Osako was called upon to deny Wei Shihao twice in the opening five minutes.
Hiroshima’s first sight of goal didn’t arrive until the 40th minute, when Shuto Nakano dragged an effort wide of the far post from just inside the area.
The visitors went close again two minutes after the restart, as Ryo Germain saw a header well saved by Chengdu goalkeeper Jian Tao before Naoto Arai fired his follow-up against the post.
Chengdu then broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 54th minute, Felipe Silva converting from 12 yards after Hayato Araki had been adjudged to have fouled Chengdu captain Tim Chow.
Michael Skibbe made two changes after an hour for Hiroshima, and both players introduced were involved as they drew level in the 63rd minute.
The first of them, Daiki Suga, sent in a cross from the left flank, and after Sota Nakamura controlled and prodded the ball on to Suga’s fellow substitute Mutsuki Kato he slammed home from just outside the six-yard box to make sure of a valuable point on the road.
