TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Rookie Sota Nakamura found the net in his J-League first-division debut to secure Sanfrecce Hiroshima a 2-1 comeback victory over fellow title aspirants Machida Zelvia in their season-opening clash on Sunday.

The match at Machida Gion Stadium pitted 2024 runners-up Sanfrecce against a Zelvia outfit who topped the standings for much of their maiden J1 campaign last year before finishing third.

The 22-year-old Nakamura came off the bench in the 72nd minute and broke the 1-1 deadlock five minutes later with a deflected strike that stranded Kosei Tani after the Machida keeper parried Ryo Germain's long-range attempt.

"I'm really happy I was able to contribute to the team winning," said Nakamura, whose previous professional experience comprised one appearance each in the Super Cup and Asian Champions League Two.

"I was thinking to move wide to provide a target for Germain, but he opted for a shot and the rebound luckily fell to me. I did everything I could to get the shot away."

Yuki Soma gave the hosts the lead in the 26th minute, dribbling through three defenders before finishing past Keisuke Osako into the bottom right corner.

German midfielder Tolgay Arslan volleyed home the equalizer for Hiroshima in the 59th minute after Mutsuki Kato headed an attempted clearance back into the area.

In Sunday's other J1 match, Shimizu S-Pulse marked their return to the top flight with a 1-0 win over Tokyo Verdy on former Japan striker Koya Kitagawa's header late in the first half at Tokyo's National Stadium.