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Machida’s Yengi revels in first start
Machida: Tete Yengi was delighted with his first start for FC Machida Zelvia after grabbing a brace in the 3-2 win against China PR’s Chengdu Rongcheng FC on Tuesday to fire the Japanese side to a top place finish in the East Zone of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ league phase.
Having joined the team in January on loan from Scottish Premiership side Livingston, the 25-year-old forward had only made two substitute appearances prior to the match against Chengdu and rewarded Go Kuroda’s faith with a pair of headers.

#ACLElite | FC Machida Zelvia (JPN) 3-2 Chengdu Rongcheng FC (CHN)

#ACLElite | FC Machida Zelvia (JPN) 3-2 Chengdu Rongcheng FC (CHN)

“Very happy with the win and very happy with the two goals which puts us in a good position for the next round,” said Yengi. “I’m learning from watching the other players in my positions. I’m also talking to the coaches, who are helping me to adapt. I feel I’m adapting quite well and showed that today. 

“I was at the right position at the right time. They were good crosses from my teammates. I’m a tall player but I feel I should be better at that part of the game but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how it goes in as long as it helps the team.”
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Chengdu, like Machida, also made their continental debut but with a vastly different outcome as the China PR side exited the competition with only one win from eight matches.

Head coach John Aloisi did not want to dwell on the result, with the Australian tactician looking to turn their attention to the domestic campaign which begins next month.
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“I was disappointed with the way we started the game, we didn’t do well enough,” said Aloisi. “But then we showed positive signs and worked our way back into the game. 

“Then we started slow again in the second half but we never stopped fighting and didn’t stop showing the football that we can play so to score two goals here is a positive and now we’re looking forward to the start of the season.”