CATANIA, Italy (Kyodo) Striker Takayuki Morimoto hit the target but Catania made a losing start to the season with a 2-1 defeat at home to Sampdoria in the Serie A on Sunday.
Morimoto, who looks set to get his first international callup for Japan's friendlies in the Netherlands next month, beat Sampdoria goalkeeper Luca Castellazi with a smart finish in the 38th minute to cancel out Giampaolo Pazzini's opener.
But Daniele Gastaldello hit the winner to snatch the points for the visitors in the dying seconds.