Machida Zelvia and FC Seoul shared the points in a 1-1 draw in their AFC Champions League Elite group stage opener on September 16, 2025. The match at Machida Stadium was a tightly contested affair between two sides who seemed content with a point from the outset. FC Seoul took the lead against the run of play midway through the first half, capitalizing on a defensive error. Machida, however, showed good resolve and equalized before halftime through a penalty. The second half saw both teams create half-chances but neither could find a winning goal, with the defenses ultimately coming out on top. The draw was a fair result that left both teams mid-table after the first round of matches. Both managers in their post-match press conferences highlighted the need for more attacking sharpness in the coming fixtures.