Albirex Niigata toppled Machida Zelvia 3-1 away from home in the J-League first division on Saturday, ending a two-game losing run while handing the surprise leaders their first defeat in seven games. With their three-game winning run coming to an end, J1 debutants Machida were joined on 35 points by second-placed Kashima Antlers, who saw off Yokohama F Marinos 3-2 at home and now only trail on goal difference. “We didn’t want to shirk away from Machida’s strength,” Niigata manager Rikizo Matsuhashi said. “They ought to have the edge in height, power and pace, but we went head-to-head with the…