Machida is eliminated by Kawasaki on penalties and ends his unbeaten run in J1

Machida Zelvia was eliminated by Kawasaki Frontale in a penalty shootout this Saturday, at Estádio Uvance Todoroki. The match ended in a 1-1 draw at regular time, with Kawasaki F winning the decision 5-4 on penalties. The defeat ends three consecutive victories for the Tóquio team, including two victories that were also decided on penalties during the 17th round of the Meiji Yasuda J1 100-Year Vision League.

Machida started better and opened the scoring 40 minutes into the first half. Midfielder Shimoda took a free kick from the right, and striker Yengui headed it into the back of the net inside the small area. The team’s initial dominance promised a quiet victory.

Late Empate changes the course of the match

Tudo changed 44 minutes into the second half. Nakayama, defender of Machida, committed a handball inside the area, resulting in a penalty for Kawasaki F. Midfielder Wakisaka converted the penalty with precision, equalizing the score at 1-1 and taking the dispute to penalties.

During the penalty shootout, two Machida players left the ball in the goalkeeper’s hands. Nakayama, who had made the defensive error minutes before, was the second taker and wasted his chance. Já Sendo, the sixth to shoot, also failed to find the net, leaving the team with just one point won in the round competition.

Situação delicate on the table

The defeat complicates Machida’s position in Divisão Leste. FC Tokyo, leader of the eastern side of the table, occupies 2nd place overall with a three-point advantage over the Tóquio team. Faltando just one round away from the championship, Machida would need an unlikely turnaround to reach the top.

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The goal difference also works against the team in the final stretch. The large negative difference in relation to competitors makes any possibility of overtaking practically unfeasible in the last round. Machida’s next steps depend both on its performance and on the results of its direct opponents.

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Detalhes from the match

The match remained balanced throughout the regulation 90 minutes, with both teams creating limited chances. Kawasaki F, despite starting at a disadvantage, demonstrated resilience and managed to force the decision on penalties. Yengui’s headed goal represented Machida’s best offensive moment, but the lack of defensive precision in the final minutes proved costly.

• Gol from Machida:Yengui (40′ of the 1st half)
• Gol of Kawasaki F:Wakisaka, penalty (44′ of the 2nd half)
• Placar final:1 to 1
• Pênaltis:Kawasaki F 5 x 4 Machida
• Local:Estádio Uvance Todoroki, Tóquio
• Data:May 17, 2026
• Rodada:17th of Meiji Yasuda J1

Próximos commitments

Machida turns its efforts to the last round of the championship, seeking to recover from early elimination and win important points. The campaign will be decisive in determining whether the team can remain competitive until the end of the regular season.