Machida Zelvia’s remarkable ascent continued as the Japanese newcomers secured a spot in the Asian Champions League quarter-finals with a narrow 1-0 win over Gangwon. Hotaka Nakamura’s decisive first‑half header settled the second leg in Tokyo, completing a 1-0 aggregate triumph in the club’s debut campaign. The midfielder called the night “a new page for Machida,” reflecting the club’s astonishing rise from non‑league football less than 15 years ago.
The match began with a setback when winger Yuki Soma limped off early, but substitute Na Sang‑ho quickly made an impact, delivering the pinpoint cross that Nakamura converted in the 25th minute.
With the competition shifting to single‑elimination ties in Saudi Arabia next month, Machida enter the next phase with momentum. Their progression comes amid scheduling disruptions in the Middle East, yet the Japanese side remain focused on extending their fairy‑tale run on Asia’s biggest stage.