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[SPORTS] · Japan · 4 sources

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Koki Ogawa scores twice in Machida Zelvia comeback win

Japan national team striker Koki Ogawa made a significant impact in his J1 League return, scoring two goals to lead FC Machida Zelvia to a 2-1 comeback victory against Kawasaki Frontale.

After transferring from Dutch side NEC Nijmegen, Ogawa entered the match as a substitute. Wearing a protective face guard due to a previous fracture, he scored his first J1 goal with a header in the 75th minute and added a second in the 81st minute to secure the win. This marks his first league goals in Japan since May 2023.

Ogawa stated that his decision to return to the J1 League was driven by a desire to be in the best position to secure a spot in the 2030 World Cup. He noted that playing for a club like Machida, which aligns with his clinical finishing style, offers a better path to consistent performance than playing for a lower-tier club in a major European league focused on counter-attacking football.

Entities

Arata Watanabe · FC Machida Zelvia · J1 League · Kashima Antlers · Kawasaki Frontale · Koki Ogawa · Machida Zelvia · Mito HollyHock

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