Champions Western Sydney Wanderers launched their title defense with a 3-1 victory over Kashima Antlers in Group H of the Asian Champions League on Wednesday.
An own goal and late scores from former Japanese international Yojiro Takahagi and Mark Bridge gave Western Sydney the three points. Shoma Doi netted in the second half for Toninho Cerezo's side.
Wanderers came out flat on a bitingly cold night at Kashima Stadium, underlining their abysmal domestic form, which has earned them just one win in 16 A-League games this season.
The visitors were already without suspended manager Tony Popovic and also lost Shannon Cole midway through the opening half, the defender hurting his left shoulder in a collision midfield.
Kashima should have been up at the break after a decent first period but, as was the case time and time again down the stretch last season, lacked precision in front of goal.
The inaccuracy allowed Western Sydney to grab the lead six minutes to the hour with some help from Antlers center-half Gen Shoji, who redirected a shot by Bridge into his own net from close range.
Kashima managed to equalize in the 68th minute through a cracking volley by Doi, who turned on a right-wing cross from Caio and appeared to swing the momentum in his team's favor.
But Antlers were dealt a blow with four minutes remaining as Takahagi slotted home the decisive goal with shades of offside, before setting up Bridge to put the game out of reach in injury time.