J1 League Regular Season - 5
Machida Zelvia 1 - 1 PEN 3-1 Kawasaki Frontale
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
41' Erik (Y. Soma)
HT
Erison 59'
61' ↓ T. Yengi ↑S. Fujio
↓ T. Ito ↑Y. Yamamoto 76'
78' Erik
78' Erik
80' ↓ N. Lavi ↑R. Shirasaki
↓ K. Tachibanada ↑Y. Kobayashi 86'
↓ Marcinho ↑T. Myogan 86'
↓ Erison ↑L. Romanic 90'+1
↓ T. Miyagi ↑S. Kanda 90'+1
90'+4 Hiroyuki Mae
90'+6 ↓ K. Hayashi ↑Na Sang-Ho
90'+6 ↓ G. Shoji ↑I. Dresevic
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Machida Zelvia
Goalkeepers
K. Tani 
ARCHITECT
1
Key Passes
1
Key Passes
0
Assists
32%
Pass Acc
Defenders
G. Shoji 
NPC
89
Minutes
89
Minutes
35%
Pass Acc
6.2
Rating
D. Okamura 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Y. Nakayama
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
44%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
H. Mochizuki
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
26%
Pass Acc
H. Mae 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
N. Lavi
STORMTROOPER
3
Shots
3
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
K. Hayashi
NPC
89
Minutes
89
Minutes
23%
Pass Acc
6.6
Rating
BENCH
T. Morita 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
I. Dresevic
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Nakamura
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Shirasaki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
10
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Masuyama
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Sento
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Na Sang-Ho
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Kuwayama
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Fujio
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
29
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kawasaki Frontale
Goalkeepers
S. Brodersen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Y. Matsunagane
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Y. Maruyama 
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
S. Miura
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
R. Yamahara
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
41%
Pass Acc
S. Kawahara 
MAGNET
72
Activity
72
Activity
67
Passes
5
Duels
K. Tachibanada
NPC
86
Minutes
86
Minutes
43%
Pass Acc
6.6
Rating
Marcinho
NPC
86
Minutes
86
Minutes
27%
Pass Acc
6.7
Rating
BENCH
G. Lee
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
R. Kamihashi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Hayashi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Noda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Y. Yamamoto
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
14
Total Mins
Started
Entry
T. Myogan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Y. Kobayashi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Romanic
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Kanda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/28/2026 | Machida Zelvia | 1 - 1 (PEN 3-1) | Kawasaki Frontale | J1 League | Machida Stadium |
| 08/31/2025 | Kawasaki Frontale | 5 - 3 | Machida Zelvia | J1 League | Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium |
| 04/06/2025 | Machida Zelvia | 2 - 2 | Kawasaki Frontale | J1 League | Machida GION Stadium |
| 10/05/2024 | Machida Zelvia | 1 - 4 | Kawasaki Frontale | J1 League | Machida Gion Stadium |
| 04/07/2024 | Kawasaki Frontale | 0 - 1 | Machida Zelvia | J1 League | Uvance Todoroki Stadium by Fujitsu |
| 01/31/2024 | Kawasaki Frontale | 0 - 3 | Machida Zelvia | Friendlies Clubs | Akama Athletic Sports Park |
03/28/2026
08/31/2025
04/06/2025
10/05/2024
04/07/2024
01/31/2024
Machida Zelvia Win
Kawasaki Frontale Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Ten-Man Zelvia Survive VAR Drama to Clinch Shootout Glory
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 47/100. A tense top-four clash at Machida Stadium descended into chaos following a VAR-assisted red card, culminating in a spectacular penalty shootout victory for the numerically disadvantaged hosts.
Opening Act
Stepping onto the pitch at Machida Stadium, the atmosphere crackled with anticipation as 3rd-placed Machida Zelvia hosted 4th-placed Kawasaki Frontale. With both sides jockeying for critical position in the top-four race, the Stakes were unmistakably high from the first touch. The visitors from Kawasaki established a comfortable rhythm early, maintaining a slight edge in possession at 53% and patiently probing the defensive lines. However, Machida's setup proved exceptionally resilient. Absorbing the pressure, the hosts struck with clinical precision just before the interval. In the 41st minute, a moment of brilliant vision from Y. Soma unlocked the defense, delivering a pinpoint assist that Erik calmly converted. It was a textbook counter-punch that left the traveling supporters momentarily stunned.
The Pivot
The second half introduced a completely different tactical dynamic, pushing the Balance of the tie to a razor’s edge. Recognizing the urgency, Kawasaki intensified their attacking efforts, and their persistence paid dividends in the 59th minute. Erison found the crucial breakthrough, leveling the score and shifting the momentum firmly toward the visitors. Just as Frontale looked poised to find a winner, the match erupted in controversy in the 78th minute. Goalscorer Erik committed a foul that triggered a lengthy VAR review. The original call was upgraded to a straight red card, instantly sending the match's Intensity soaring. Reduced to ten men, Machida was forced to abandon their attacking ambitions. Marshaled by the defensive brilliance of Yuta Nakayama, they dug deep into a low block, surviving wave after wave of Kawasaki pressure to force the shootout.
Resolution
With regular season parameters demanding a winner via penalty kicks, the tension inside Machida Stadium was palpable. Despite playing over twenty minutes a man down, the hosts carried a siege mentality into the shootout, while Kawasaki seemed psychologically blunted by their inability to break down the ten-man defensive wall. That psychological edge was beautifully exploited by Machida's goalkeeper Kosei Tani. His colossal presence between the sticks overwhelmed the Kawasaki takers, leading Machida to a dominant 3-1 shootout triumph. Tani's heroics rightly earned him Man of the Match honors, acting as the foundation of an unlikely victory. This gritty result keeps Machida firmly entrenched in the upper echelons of the J1 League title race, while Frontale will deeply rue a night where their numerical advantage failed to translate into maximum points.
Key Questions
How did the red card for Erik impact the match?
The 78th-minute dismissal forced Machida into a deep defensive block, ceding control to Kawasaki, but they valiantly defended to ensure the match reached a penalty shootout.
What made Kosei Tani the Man of the Match?
Beyond his crucial interventions during regular time, Tani's commanding presence and dominant saves during the 3-1 penalty shootout victory secured the extra points for Machida.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Top-Four Tension: Machida Zelvia's Title Test
Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 91/100. This top-four showdown carries title-race weight, demanding perfection from two sides desperate to assert their dominance at the summit.
The Setup
March 28, 2026, brings a heavy-hitting J1 League encounter to Machida Stadium. Machida Zelvia sit comfortably in third place, building a formidable campaign built on relentless momentum. Kawasaki Frontale trail behind in fourth, knowing anything less than a victory in this six-pointer will seriously derail their own lofty ambitions. The Stakes could not be clearer. Machida's recent Form is impressive, boasting four wins from their last five league outings. Kawasaki has been erratic, alternating wins and losses, but their undeniable pedigree away from home means they are more than capable of spoiling the party.
Key Battle
This fixture will be decided by the attacking Stars on display. Yuki Soma has been terrifying defenses all season with his direct running and clinical edge for Machida. He faces off against the creative hub of Kawasaki, Yasuto Wakizaka. If Wakizaka can dictate the tempo and bypass Machida's aggressive press, Kawasaki has a route to goal. But if Soma finds space in transition, it could be a very long afternoon for the visitors' backline.
Our Prediction
We expect a 2-1 victory for Machida Zelvia. While the underlying Balance suggests a fiercely contested midfield battle early on, the hosts possess too much offensive cohesion right now. Kawasaki will push hard and likely find the net, but Machida's sustained pressure in the second half will eventually break down a historically leaky visiting defense.