Machida Zelvia of Japan shared her clubhouse with seniors doing fitness classes less than ten years ago. They are now one win away from being the champions of Asia.
The side from the outskirts of Tokyo will look to complete their remarkable transition from non-leaguers to continental champions when they face Saudi Arabia’s defending champions Al-Ahli in Saturday’s Asian Champions League final in Jeddah.
Machida are making their debut in Asia’s top club competition and were playing non-league football as recently as 2013.
They are led by a former high school coach and play on a tree-lined home field in front of an average of 14,000 fans.
They have already beaten big-spending Saudis Al Ittihad and now have the Champions League title.
“I think it just shows that Machida has been doing things the right way, building step by step,” journalist Kazuto Oshima, who has been covering the team since 2012, said.
