J1 League Gameweek 4
Mito Hollyhock 1 - 1 FT Machida Zelvia
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Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Passes
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
27' A. Watanabe
Y. Soma 33'
HT
↓ M. Duke ↑T. Nishimura 46'
75' ↓ A. Watanabe ↑C. Kato
↓ N. Lavi ↑H. Shimoda 82'
↓ T. Yengi ↑K. Ogawa 82'
84' ↓ K. Uchino ↑R. Nemoto
↓ I. Dresevic ↑Y. Matsuo 88'
90' ↓ K. Taniguchi ↑Patryck
90' ↓ Y. Funabashi ↑H. Yamamoto
90' ↓ Y. Torikai ↑S. Yamashita
K. Ogawa 90'+5
FT
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/29/2026 | Mito Hollyhock | 2 - 2 (PEN 3-4) | Machida Zelvia | J1 League | Best Denki Stadium |
| 02/14/2026 | Machida Zelvia | 2 - 2 (PEN 4-2) | Mito Hollyhock | J1 League | Machida GION Stadium |
| 06/24/2023 | Mito Hollyhock | 1 - 1 | Machida Zelvia | J2 League | K’s Denki Stadium |
| 03/12/2023 | Machida Zelvia | 3 - 0 | Mito Hollyhock | J2 League | Machida Gion Stadium |
| 07/06/2022 | Machida Zelvia | 2 - 3 | Mito Hollyhock | J2 League | Machida Gion Stadium |
| 05/08/2022 | Mito Hollyhock | 0 - 0 | Machida Zelvia | J2 League | K’s Denki Stadium |
| 07/11/2021 | Machida Zelvia | 2 - 1 | Mito Hollyhock | J2 League | Machida Gion Stadium |
| 03/21/2021 | Mito Hollyhock | 3 - 0 | Machida Zelvia | J2 League | K’s Denki Stadium |
| 12/13/2020 | Machida Zelvia | 1 - 0 | Mito Hollyhock | J2 League | Machida Gion Stadium |
| 07/19/2020 | Mito Hollyhock | 4 - 0 | Machida Zelvia | J2 League | K’s Denki Stadium |
04/29/2026
02/14/2026
06/24/2023
03/12/2023
07/06/2022
05/08/2022
07/11/2021
03/21/2021
12/13/2020
07/19/2020
Mito Hollyhock Win
Machida Zelvia Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 3 GD: +10
P: 3 GD: +5
P: 3 GD: +3
P: 4 GD: +6
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 4 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: -3
P: 3 GD: -6
League Standings
P: 7 GD: +13
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +3
P: 7 GD: +13
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +2
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +1
P: 7 GD: +2
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: +2
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -3
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -2
P: 7 GD: -6
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Mito Hollyhock
Machida Zelvia
Mito Hollyhock
Machida Zelvia
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Title Leaders Halted in Mito Shootout
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 42/100. A relentless exchange of chances proved that the mid-table hosts can go toe-to-toe with the league's early pacesetters.
The Opening Barrage
The match kicked off with tremendous Intensity under the lights at Mito Shinkin Bank Stadium. Despite entering the contest as early league leaders with a flawless three-match winning streak, Machida Zelvia quickly found themselves dragged into an absolute firefight. The visitors dominated possession with 61% of the ball, stringing together over 570 passes as they tried to dictate the tempo. But Mito Hollyhock refused to sit back and be intimidated. A combined 32 shots were attempted throughout the ninety minutes, turning the pitch into a relentless shooting gallery. Both sides frequently bypassed cautious build-up play in favour of direct, aggressive forward movement, setting a punishing early tone that tested the stamina of every player on the pitch.
The Quickfire Pivot
The tactical chess match exploded into chaotic life just before the half-hour mark. After absorbing periods of heavy pressure, the hosts ruthlessly struck first. In the 27th minute, Arata Watanabe found a crucial pocket of space in the final third and buried his chance, sending the home supporters into raptures. However, the Balance of this contest shifted almost immediately. Refusing to let their perfect start to the campaign slip away without a fight, Machida responded with devastating urgency. Just six minutes later, Yuki Soma delivered a clinical equaliser in the 33rd minute to silence the home crowd. That rapid response showcased exactly why they currently sit atop the J1 League, snuffing out Mito's momentum before the hosts could properly consolidate their unexpected advantage.
The Unyielding Resolution
The second half evolved into an absorbing war of attrition, with both sides desperately chasing a winner. Despite Machida racking up 18 total shots and forcing a string of late corners, they lacked the final clinical edge to secure all three points. This 1-1 draw carries significant Stakes for both clubs, even this early in the campaign. For Machida Zelvia, the final whistle snaps their flawless winning run, yet it proves they can grind out results away from home to remain perched at the summit. For Mito Hollyhock, taking a hard-fought point off the previously unstoppable leaders provides a massive psychological injection. They proved they possess the defensive grit and counter-attacking bite to disrupt genuine title contenders.
Key Questions
What does this mean for Mito Hollyhock's season?
Earning a gritty point against the previously perfect league leaders boosts their confidence and proves they have the tactical resilience to challenge top-tier opponents this year.
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.
Early Top-Four Credentials on the Line
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 59/100. This early-season clash serves as a strict litmus test for both sides' continental ambitions.
The Setup
On August 29, 2026, Mito Hollyhock welcome Machida Zelvia to Best Denki Stadium for a J1 League showdown that could shape the early top-four picture. The visitors arrive riding a perfect Form rating, having secured two consecutive wins while conceding just a single goal. Despite it only being gameweek four, the Stakes are palpable as both sides look to cement their status in the upper echelons of the table. A high Balance score suggests a competitive, hard-fought tactical battle, but Machida's impressive Stars—highlighted by the attacking flair of Y. Soma—give them a distinct edge in quality.
Key Battle
Mito's midfield engine room must find a way to break through a stubborn visiting defensive block. The match will likely be decided by whether the home side's pressing triggers can disrupt Machida's patient buildup, or if the visitors will ruthlessly bypass the press to exploit open spaces in transition.
Our Prediction
We expect a narrow 2-1 away victory for Machida Zelvia. While Mito will enjoy spells of possession fueled by the home crowd, the visitors' sheer ruthlessness on the counter-attack and superior defensive organization will eventually overwhelm them.