ACL Elite: Shanghai Port Hosts Machida Zelvia in East Zone Showdown
In a highly anticipated AFC Champions League Elite clash, Chinese powerhouse Shanghai Port will host Japanese J.League champions Machida Zelvia. This East Zone encounter is crucial for both teams' progression in the group stage, promising an intense battle for continental supremacy. Both sides are eager to assert their dominance and lay the groundwork for the knockout rounds.
Match Background & Qualification Scenarios
The 2025-26 AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) is Asia's most prestigious club football competition, bringing together 24 top clubs from across the continent, divided into East and West Zones. Teams in each zone play eight league stage matches, four at home and four away, with the top eight from each region advancing to the knockout stage. [2, 5, 8, 17, 23] As part of the East Zone league stage, this match is a pivotal fixture for both Shanghai Port and Machida Zelvia in their quest for qualification. The outcome will directly impact their standings in the league table and their aspirations to qualify for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. [2, 5, 8, 23]
Recent Form
Shanghai Port enters this match in strong form, with four wins and one loss in their last five official matches. They secured a 4-3 victory over Qingdao Hainiu in their league match on October 17, 2025 [34], following consecutive wins against Dalian Yingbo, Zhejiang FC, and Shandong Taishan in the Chinese Super League [27]. However, their recent 0-2 home loss to Vissel Kobe in the AFC Champions League Elite on September 17, 2025, highlights the challenges they face in continental competition. [16]
Machida Zelvia also comes into this fixture with respectable recent form, boasting three wins, one draw, and one loss. They played to a 0-0 draw against Avispa Fukuoka in the J.League on October 17, 2025 [28], and suffered a 2-1 defeat to Sanfrecce Hiroshima on October 4. [13] However, in July, they demonstrated strong performances with consecutive victories over Tokyo Verdy, Kataller Toyama, and Shimizu S-Pulse in league and cup competitions. [13]
Key Players & Injury News
For Shanghai Port, key players to watch include Brazilian striker Leonardo Nascimento Lopes de Souza, who has scored 21 goals in the current CSL season [34, 32], along with Gabrielzinho and Gustavo, who have also been prolific [34, 32]. Chinese internationals Wu Lei and goalkeeper Yan Junling [4, 10, 12], as well as midfielders Mateus Vital and Matheus Jussa, are also vital to the team [4, 32]. The team is managed by Kevin Muscat. [34, 16] As of now, specific major injury reports for either team leading up to the October 21, 2025 match have not been released.
Machida Zelvia's attacking threats include Japanese international Yuki Soma, who has scored 10 goals this season [36, 18], as well as Takuma Nishimura [36, 18] and Oh Se-hun [18]. Australian international Mitchell Duke [18, 20] and defensive stalwart Gen Shoji [20, 21] are also key figures. The team is coached by Go Kuroda. [20, 21] Given the future date of the match, specific injury statuses will need further confirmation closer to game day.