Japanese team with school coach to cap remarkable journey to the top

TL;DR

Japan's Machida Zelvia will face Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli in the Asian Champions League final on Saturday, marking their debut in the top club competition. The team has transformed from non-league players to potential champions in just a decade.

Key points

Machida Zelvia will play Al Ahli in the Asian Champions League final.
The team has transformed from non-league to top competition in under a decade.
Go Kuroda, a former high-school coach, leads the team with a focus on defense.
Machida has faced criticism and pursued legal action against online abuse.
They have won three straight matches to reach the final.

Mentioned in this story

Go KurodaYuki SomaJeddah

Machida ZelviaAl AhliAsian Champions League

Japan's Machida Zelvia will play Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli in the Asian Champions League Elite final on Saturday (-) (-/CN-STR/AFP) Japan's Machida Zelvia shared their clubhouse with senior citizens doing fitness classes less than a decade ago. Now they're one win away from being Asian champions. The team from the Tokyo suburbs will look to complete their remarkable transformation from non-league nobodies to continental conquerors when they face Saudi Arabia's defending champions Al Ahli in the Asian Champions League final on Saturday in Jeddah. Machida are making their debut in Asia's top club competition and were playing non-league football as recently as 2013. They are led by a former high-school coach and play at a homely tree-lined stadium in front of an average 14,000 fans. They have already beaten big-spending Saudis Al Ittihad and now have the Champions League trophy in their sights. "I think it just shows that Machida have been doing things properly, building up step by step," journalist Kazuto Oshima, who has been covering the team since 2012, told AFP. "It's also significant that they've shown they can play on equal terms not only in the J. League but also against clubs from Saudi Arabia and the UAE." Machida had never played in Japan's top flight until 2024 but they almost won the title at the first time of asking and they claimed their maiden trophy last season with the domestic Emperor's Cup. Their rapid rise has been overseen by Go Kuroda, a former high-school coach who took charge ahead of the 2023 season. The 55-year-old took the team back to basics, prioritising a solid defence and a direct attack. That approach has paid off in the Champions League, with Machida reaching the final on the back of three straight 1-0 wins. Kuroda is known for his no-nonsense style and he was given a warning by the J. League at the start of this year for directing abusive language towards his staff. Winger Yuki Soma praised the coach's man-management after scoring the winner in their semi-final victory over UAE side Shabab Al Ahli. "The coach told me before training yesterday that I was the team's main man so I had to play well, and that really showed he trusted me," said Japan international Soma. "I wanted to give everything to live up to that for the team, and I'm glad I was able to score."

Q&A

What is Machida Zelvia's journey to the Asian Champions League final?

Machida Zelvia has risen from non-league football in 2013 to reach the Asian Champions League final, showcasing a remarkable transformation.

Who is the coach of Machida Zelvia and what is his coaching style?

The coach of Machida Zelvia is Go Kuroda, known for his no-nonsense style, prioritizing solid defense and direct attacking play.

What challenges has Machida Zelvia faced during their rise in Japanese football?

Machida Zelvia has faced criticism for their playing style and pursued legal action against online abuse directed at their staff and players.

How has Machida Zelvia performed in the Asian Champions League leading up to the final?

Machida Zelvia has reached the final by winning three consecutive matches, each with a score of 1-0.

Japanese team with school coach to cap remarkable journey to the top

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

Related Articles

Real Madrid y Barça vs la supremacía de la Premier

'You can't do both' - O'Neill on managerial future

IPL 2026: Will MS Dhoni play today against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede?

Caitlin Clark stays Fever’s top ballhandler, but Raven Johnson should alleviate pressure

Top Five Best FPL Differentials for GW-34

What time will Patriots be on clock with No. 31 pick in NFL draft?

More from Sports