Gangwon and Machida leave their first knockout tie level

Gangwon FC and Machida Zelvia drew 0-0 in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Elite round-of-sixteen encounter. The result in Chuncheon left qualification undecided between two clubs making their first appearances in the tournament.

Machida controlled much of the opening half but failed to convert their opportunities. Yuki Soma headed over and Gangwon goalkeeper Park Chung-hyo saved Hotaka Nakamura’s close-range attempt, helping the home side reach the interval without conceding.

The visitors continued to threaten after the restart, while Gangwon became more dangerous late in the match. Abdalla Halaihal had an effort disallowed for offside before forcing Kosei Tani to push another shot against the post. Neither side found a winner before the return leg in Japan.