Genki Haraguchi scored in his competitive debut for Hertha Berlin as the Bundesliga side survived a second-half scare to beat fourth-division Viktoria Cologne 4-2 in the first round of the German Cup on Saturday.
Haraguchi finished off a swift counterattack in the 51st minute to put the visitors 3-0 up, only for Cologne to pull two goals back through Mike Wunderlich and Fatih Candan.
But Julian Schieber sealed victory and a place in the next round 14 minutes from time after Haraguchi's effort had come back off the post.
"I am happy that I could deliver results in my debut," said Haraguchi, who signed from Urawa Reds in late May to join up with former Reds midfielder Hajime Hosogai at Hertha.
"It will feel even better if we win in the league and I will aim for that and prepare (for the season opener) in the coming week."