J1 League Regular Season - 3
Tokyo Verdy 2 - 2 PEN 4-3 Machida Zelvia
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
12' ↓ Y. Matsuhashi ↑Y. Arai
HT
46' ↓ N. Hayashi ↑R. Inoue
↓ T. Yengi ↑T. Nishimura 67'
Y. Soma 69'
Erik 74'
77' ↓ Y. Uchida ↑H. Yamami
77' ↓ K. Saito ↑R. Shirai
↓ Erik ↑K. Kuwayama 79'
Y. Nakayama (H. Nakamura) 80'
Yuta Nakayama 83'
86' ↓ K. Miyahara ↑T. Yoshida
89' H. Yamami (R. Hirakawa)
90' T. Yoshida (Y. Arai)
↓ Y. Soma ↑F. Tokumura 90'+2
↓ N. Lavi ↑H. Mae 90'+3
↓ R. Shirasaki ↑H. Shimoda 90'+3
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Tokyo Verdy
Goalkeepers
Matheus 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
98
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
K. Suzuki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
98
Total Mins
Started
Entry
N. Hayashi 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
K. Miyahara 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
78%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
Y. Uchida
LATE SHIFT
13
Late Mins
13
Late Mins
77
Total Mins
77
Entry
R. Hirakawa 
MAGNET
72
Activity
72
Activity
64
Passes
8
Duels
K. Morita
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
98
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. Fukazawa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
98
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
Y. Matsuhashi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
12
Entry
K. Saito
MAGNET
46
Activity
46
Activity
35
Passes
11
Duels
I. Someno
STORMTROOPER
3
Shots
3
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
BENCH
Y. Nagasawa 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
R. Inoue 
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
3
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
T. Yoshida 
CLUTCH HERO
90
Goal Time
90
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
7.6
Rating
T. Inami
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Yamamoto
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Y. Arai 
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
86
Minutes
7.9
Rating
H. Yamami
CLUTCH HERO
89
Goal Time
89
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
7
Rating
G. Yamada
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Shirai
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Machida Zelvia
Goalkeepers
K. Tani
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
98
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
I. Dresevic
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
98
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. Okamura
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
98
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Y. Nakayama 
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
Midfielders
H. Nakamura 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
2
Key Passes
7.2
Rating
R. Shirasaki 
NPC
93
Minutes
93
Minutes
36%
Pass Acc
6.6
Rating
N. Lavi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Hayashi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
98
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
T. Morita
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
H. Mae
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
5
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Shimoda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
5
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Masuyama
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Na Sang-Ho
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
F. Tokumura
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
6
Total Mins
Started
Entry
T. Nishimura
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
31
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Kuwayama
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
19
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Fujio
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/21/2026 | Tokyo Verdy | 2 - 2 (PEN 4-3) | Machida Zelvia | J1 League | Ajinomoto Stadium |
| 07/20/2025 | Tokyo Verdy | 0 - 1 | Machida Zelvia | J1 League | Ajinomoto Stadium |
| 02/26/2025 | Machida Zelvia | 0 - 1 | Tokyo Verdy | J1 League | Machida GION Stadium |
| 07/14/2024 | Tokyo Verdy | 0 - 1 | Machida Zelvia | J1 League | Ajinomoto Stadium |
| 05/19/2024 | Machida Zelvia | 5 - 0 | Tokyo Verdy | J1 League | Machida Gion Stadium |
| 07/09/2023 | Machida Zelvia | 2 - 2 | Tokyo Verdy | J2 League | Japan National Stadium |
| 05/13/2023 | Tokyo Verdy | 0 - 1 | Machida Zelvia | J2 League | Ajinomoto Stadium |
| 09/18/2022 | Machida Zelvia | 2 - 2 | Tokyo Verdy | J2 League | Machida Gion Stadium |
| 03/20/2022 | Tokyo Verdy | 2 - 1 | Machida Zelvia | J2 League | Ajinomoto Stadium |
| 09/26/2021 | Tokyo Verdy | 0 - 1 | Machida Zelvia | J2 League | Ajinomoto Stadium |
02/21/2026
07/20/2025
02/26/2025
07/14/2024
05/19/2024
07/09/2023
05/13/2023
09/18/2022
03/20/2022
09/26/2021
Tokyo Verdy Win
Machida Zelvia Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Ajinomoto Stadium Stunner: Verdy's Last-Gasp Revival
Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 75/100. A chaotic final ten minutes transformed a seemingly routine away victory into a penalty shootout thriller that redefines late-game resilience.
Tactical Tension
The clash at Ajinomoto Stadium began as a highly tactical chess game, with Tokyo Verdy working diligently to impose their rhythm on home turf. They edged possession at 51%, stringing together 447 passes as they methodically probed for openings against a well-drilled defensive block. Despite their patient build-up, they struggled to break through and convert their territorial advantage into clear-cut chances. The Balance of the tie was incredibly tight, as both sides traded blows in midfield without finding the definitive final touch. It required absolute precision to break the deadlock, and that moment finally arrived in the 69th minute. Machida Zelvia's Y. Soma found a pocket of space and smashed the ball into the back of the net, completely altering the trajectory of the encounter.
The Illusory Cushion
With the crucial opening goal secured, the visitors appeared to take complete control of the match's psychological landscape. Building on their momentum, Machida Zelvia pushed forward, looking to kill the game off. In the 80th minute, Yuta Nakayama seemingly put the result beyond doubt, doubling the advantage following a precise, cutting delivery from H. Nakamura. A tense and agonizing three-minute VAR check confirmed the goal, a decision that felt like a crushing blow to the remaining home hopes. The Stakes for this top-table encounter were massive, and the away end was already celebrating what felt like an insurmountable 2-0 lead. Machida's ability to maximize their 11 total shots made them look completely unstoppable as the clock ticked down.
A Miraculous Turnaround
Football, however, consistently defies logic. In the 89th minute, substitute H. Yamami struck with a brilliant finish to halve the deficit, sending a sudden surge of off-the-charts Intensity reverberating around the stands. The stadium erupted, and just sixty seconds later, the unthinkable happened. Fellow substitute Y. Arai whipped in a phenomenal assist for T. Yoshida, who buried a dramatic 90th-minute equalizer to complete a miraculous sequence of three goals in ten minutes. The staggering 2-2 draw forced an immediate penalty shootout. Riding a massive wave of emotional momentum, Tokyo Verdy held their nerve from the spot to secure a 4-3 shootout victory, sealing an unforgettable comeback that will be etched into local folklore.
Key Questions
Did Tokyo Verdy deserve the late equalizer?
Yes. Despite trailing by two, they sustained pressure, recording an xG of 0.98 and utilizing brilliant substitute combinations to force the decisive breakthrough.
How did Tokyo Verdy complete the comeback from behind?
Late substitutions proved pivotal. Yamami scored in the 89th minute, followed instantly by Yoshida's 90th-minute finish, completely overturning the two-goal deficit.
How did substitute Yuki Soma change the game?
His clinical 69th-minute strike broke a stubborn deadlock, injecting urgency into the match and setting the stage for the dramatic final twenty minutes.
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.
A Crunch Tokyo Derby With Continental Consequences
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 62/100. With both sides eyeing crucial Champions League qualification spots, this Tokyo derby pits an unstoppable home force against immovable away specialists.
The Setup
This February 21, 2026 clash at Ajinomoto Stadium represents a major juncture in the J1 League season. The stakes are massive as the top-four race heats up. Tokyo Verdy currently sit in fifth place with 13 points, knowing a victory is essential to keep the pressure on a formidable Machida Zelvia squad, who are firmly entrenched in third on 22 points. Our Stakes rating reflects the intense pressure of this continental qualification fight. What makes this fixture incredibly fascinating is the collision of two very distinct geographic strengths. Tokyo Verdy have turned their home ground into an absolute fortress this season, securing four victories in five matches for a stellar 80% home win rate. Conversely, Machida are true away specialists. They have matched that 80% win rate on the road, displaying a resilience that allows them to thrive in hostile environments. While Tokyo's overall Form rating highlights some recent league inconsistencies, their home advantage perfectly balances the scales against Machida's dominant standing.
Key Battle
The midfield battleground will be defined by the clash between Tokyo's Koki Morita and the sheer attacking brilliance of Erik. Machida's Brazilian talisman commands an off-the-charts Stars rating this season, punishing defensive lapses with ruthless efficiency and intelligent movement. Morita will be tasked with anchoring the midfield, disrupting passing lanes, and stifling the supply to the visitors' front line before Erik can isolate the Verdy center-backs in dangerous areas. If Morita can dictate the tempo, the hosts have a fighting chance.
Our Prediction
Expect fireworks and a high-tempo affair. With season trends indicating a combined expectation of over three goals per game, this promises to be an open, attacking contest rather than a cautious tactical stalemate. We anticipate Machida's superior overall consistency to eventually shine through. While Tokyo Verdy will inevitably strike early feeding off the passionate home crowd, the visitors' unmatched away mastery and clinical finishing should see them weather the storm and secure a dramatic 2-1 victory.