Shanghai Shenhua 0-2 Machida Zelvia Player Ratings: Yuki Soma’s Double Sinks Hosts in Dominant Display

Machida Zelvia arrived at the Shanghai Stadium for their AFC Champions League Elite East and put on a clinical display. The visitors needed one early lapse and one late moment of quality were all Machida Zelvia needed to silence the home crowd in Shanghai. The Shanghai Shenhua vs Machida Zelvia player ratings show how composure in both boxes allowed the visitors to walk away with a 2-0 win despite Shenhua controlling large spells of the game.

While the hosts edged possession with 51% of the ball and matched Machida for big chances, it was the visitors who showed composure when it mattered most. An early penalty set the tone before Yuki Soma delivered the knockout blow late on, sealing a clinical 2-0 win at the Shanghai Stadium.

Despite Shenhua firing 13 shots and spending long spells in the opposition half, Machida Zelvia’s defensive structure and calm game management never truly cracked. With nearly identical passing accuracy on both sides and a late surge of pressure from the home team, this was a contest where efficiency trumped volume.

Sportsdunia brings you the full Shanghai Shenhua vs Machida Zelvia player ratings from a game defined by early mistakes, sharp finishing, and tactical control.

Key Takeaways

• Machida Zelvia’s early penalty completely shifted the momentum of the match.
• Shanghai Shenhua created chances but failed to convert key moments.
• Yuki Soma proved the difference with composure and elite finishing.

Machida Zelvia Player Ratings vs Shanghai Shenhua

Here are Machida Zelvia player ratings from the clash with Shanghai Shenhua.

Goalkeeper

Kosei Tani - 7.5: We thought he looked incredibly composed between the sticks. He made four saves to keep his clean sheet intact, including a couple of really sharp stops in the first half. He commanded his area well, claiming high balls and distributing cleanly. A very confident performance that gave his backline a lot of assurance.

Defenders

Gen Shoji - 7.0: The captain led by example at the back. He was a commanding presence, winning six of his eight duels and making four crucial clearances. What stood out was his reading of the game, positioning himself perfectly to cut out attacks. He was the organizer of a defence that Shanghai Shenhua just couldn't break down.

Henry Heroki Mochizuki - 7.5: A fantastic defensive shift from Mochizuki. From our perspective, his nine clearances were vital in relieving pressure throughout the game. He wasn't just a defender either; he got forward to create a chance and even had a successful dribble. A complete full-back performance that caught our eye.

Daihachi Okamura - 7.0: He formed a rock-solid partnership with Shoji. We noticed he won 6 of his 10 duels and made seven clearances, showing he was not afraid to put his body on the line. He kept the Shanghai Shenhua forwards very quiet, frustrating them with his strength and timing. A really solid, no-nonsense display.

Midfielders

Yuta Nakayama - 7.5: He was the engine room for Machida Zelvia. With 90 touches and an impressive 91% pass accuracy, he dictated the tempo of the game. He created two chances and was a constant presence, recovering the ball seven times. A masterful midfield performance, balancing defensive duties with offensive creativity.

Kotaro Hayashi - 7.0: A quietly effective performance in the middle of the park. What caught our attention were his five interceptions, a testament to his superb game intelligence. He kept possession ticking over with 92% pass accuracy and was a disciplined presence. He did the simple things exceptionally well, allowing others to shine.

Neta Lavi - 6.5: He put in a solid shift before being substituted. Lavi was combative, winning half of his duels and making three clearances. He didn't have the creative impact of some of his teammates, but he provided a necessary shield for the defence. A functional performance that played its part in the team's structure.

Hotaka Nakamura - 6.5: A bit of a mixed bag for Nakamura. He was a huge presence in the air, winning five aerial duels, but he was also a bit loose in possession, losing it 17 times. He got into a great position for a header but missed the target. We saw a lot of effort, but the execution wasn't always there.

Forwards

Yuki Soma - 9.0: The undisputed man of the match and our highest-rated player. He was simply sensational. He showed immense composure to slot home the early penalty and then sealed the win with a brilliant left-footed strike. All three of his shots were on target. He was a constant menace and the difference-maker on the day.

Shota Fujio - 7.0: His contribution was absolutely vital. It was his clever movement that won the penalty in the first minute, a moment that completely shaped the game. He worked tirelessly, hassling defenders and winning his share of duels. He was a real handful before he was taken off.

Sang-ho Na - 6.5: From our perspective, he was lively and always looked to take on his man. He completed four dribbles and created two chances for his team. However, his final ball and decision-making in key moments were sometimes lacking. A performance full of promise but short on end product.

Substitutes

Tete Yengi - 6.0: Came on for Fujio but didn't have the same impact.

Kanji Kuwayama - 7.0: Made a crucial contribution, providing the assist for Soma's second goal.

Ryohei Shirasaki - N/A: Not on long enough to make a significant impact.

Manager

G. Kuroda - 8.0: He got his tactics absolutely spot on. His team started with incredible intensity, earned the early goal, and then managed the game perfectly. They were defensively solid and clinical when it mattered. A masterful away performance orchestrated by the manager.

Shanghai Shenhua Player Ratings vs Machida Zelvia

Check out Shanghai Shenhua player ratings from the match against Machida Zelvia.

Goalkeeper

Xue Qinghao - 6.0: We felt a bit for him. He was sent the wrong way for the penalty and had no chance with the second goal. He did make two saves, but he also looked a bit hesitant, with one of his punches not clearing the danger convincingly. A tough night for the keeper.

Defenders

Shunkai Jin - 5.0: A disastrous start to the match. To give away a penalty inside the first minute with such a clumsy foul was unforgivable and set his team on a path to defeat. The early yellow card meant he had to be cautious for the rest of the game. He never looked comfortable after that initial error.

Chenjie Zhu - 6.5: He was the busiest of the Shanghai defenders and probably their best. He made eight clearances and won a decent number of his aerial duels. However, he was part of a defensive unit that looked disjointed and was often pulled out of position. He fought a losing battle.

Wilson Manafá - 6.5: He showed good intent, winning all three of his tackles and trying to support the attack. But defensively, he was part of a backline that conceded twice and struggled to contain Machida's fluid movement. He did his job, but it wasn't enough to stem the tide.

Shinichi Chan - 6.0: It was a difficult evening for Chan. We noticed he was dribbled past three times and struggled to cope with the pace and trickery of the opposition wingers. While he was tidy in possession, he offered little threat going forward and was often pinned back in his own half.

Midfielders

João Carlos Teixeira - 6.5: He saw a lot of the ball, with 90 touches, but we were left wanting more. He worked hard and recovered the ball 10 times, but he couldn't find the killer pass to unlock a well-drilled Machida defence. A busy but ultimately ineffective performance.

Xi Wu - 6.0: As the captain, we expected a lot more from him. He seemed to be a passenger for large parts of the game. He lost possession 14 times and failed to impose himself on the midfield battle. A very quiet and disappointing outing.

Nico Yennaris - 6.0: He put in a shift defensively, winning a good number of his duels before being subbed. However, his contribution on the ball was minimal, with a 95% pass accuracy that reflects safe, sideways passing rather than progressive play. A solid but uninspired performance.

Forwards

Saulo Mineiro - 7.0: One of the few bright sparks for the home team. He was their most creative player, creating three chances, including one big chance. He constantly looked to make things happen and was a nuisance for the defenders. If anyone was going to score for Shanghai, it looked like it would be him.

Rafael Ratão - 7.0: Similar to his forward partner, Ratão at least showed some fight. He created three chances and completed three dribbles, trying to take the game to the opposition. He missed a big chance, but his effort and intent were clear to see. He just lacked support.

Makhtar Gueye - 5.5: A really poor performance from the striker. He was caught offside, picked up a yellow card, and missed a big chance. He struggled to hold up the ball and was physically dominated by the Machida centre-backs. It was no surprise to see him substituted.

Substitutes

Gao Tianyi - 6.0: Came on and committed a couple of fouls, but didn't change the game.

Yang Haoyu - 6.0: Was brought on late but had little time or opportunity to make an impact.

Manager

L. Slutskiy - 5.5: His team looked shell-shocked after the early goal and never found a response. The tactics seemed one-dimensional, and they lacked a clear plan to break down the organized opposition. He was thoroughly out-thought by his counterpart on the day.

Man of the Match

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match goes to Yuki Soma

Worst Performer

Shunkai Jin was the worst performer in the Shanghai Shenhua vs Machida Zelvia game.