FC Machida Zelvia secured their first victory of the 2025 J1 League season with a narrow 1-0 win against FC Tokyo on February 22, 2025, at Ajinomoto Stadium. The match, marked as the season's first capital confrontation, saw Machida triumph through Takuma Nishimura's stunning 82nd-minute goal.
The early exchanges were competitive, with FC Tokyo creating the first significant chance just ten minutes in. Kotaro Tawarazaki intercepted the ball from Machida's Dashevich, leading to a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Unfortunately for Tokyo, Tawarazaki failed to capitalize, as Dashevich rushed back to block his shot. The resulting corner kick saw Tokyo's Masato Morishige narrowly miss with a powerful header, hitting the crossbar, thereby missing their golden opportunity to take the lead.
Machida, meanwhile, struggled to create substantial chances throughout the first half. Their attempts to utilize long balls to striker Sehun Oh often went unrewarded. It wasn't until stoppage time of the first half, when Oh connected with Yuki Nakayama's cross, only to send his volley wide, sparking frustrations among Machida supporters.
After halftime, Machida made tactical adjustments, swapping Sehun for Shota Fujiwara to invigorate their attacking line. The contest remained scoreless, with both teams exchanging substitutions to gain the upper hand, but neither managed to create clear-cut opportunities until the match's final stages.
Finally, on 82 minutes, the match shifted dramatically. Nakayama received a vertical pass from Gen Shoji and executed a precision cross. Nishimura, positioned perfectly, made a sliding effort to direct the ball home, marking his first goal for Machida since his arrival at the club. The scoring moment not only secured the match but extended Machida's winning streak against Tokyo to three consecutive matches, having prevailed twice the previous season.
Takuma Nishimura's performance was particularly noteworthy, as he adapted well after being pushed to the front line. The 25-year-old forward expressed his delight after the match, stating, "Scoring the winning goal is always special, especially against such stiff competition."
For FC Tokyo, the outcome was disappointing as they had previously celebrated victory against Yokohama FC. Fielding the same starting XI for their home opener, they could not utilize their momentum to deter Machida. Notably, the team welcomed back midfielder Kento Hashimoto, making his return from injury.
The match also showcased tensions, particularly when Oh was shown a yellow card for confronting Morishige just before halftime. This incident escalated tensions on the field, as players from both teams exchanged heated words, emphasizing the fierce rivalry.
Both teams' defenses showed resilience throughout the game, with Machida's backline performing admirably against Tokyo's aggressive playstyle. Despite Tokyo's pressing efforts, they could not penetrate Machida's rigid defense, leading to their first loss of the season.
This victory not only provided Machida with their first win of the season but also marked their first clean sheet, giving the players much-needed confidence moving forward. Coach Hiroshi Jofuku credited the team's determination and hard work, saying, "Our players showed heart and resolve today; it sets the tone for the rest of our season. Every point counts, and we're focused on building off this success."
With both teams now equaling their records with one win and one loss, the season continues to promise excitement. Machida will look to build on this triumph as the J1 League campaign progresses, hoping to leverage their momentum to achieve greater heights this year.