JDT’s Safawi Rasid forced an early save from Lee Bum-soo as his curling shot threatened to sneak in at the far post.

Diogo Luis Santo must have impressed the watching Ronaldo with an audacious attempt in the 24th minute. After a flowing move, the ball made its way to S. Kunanlan on the right and his cross was met with an overhead kick that flew just over.

After an even opening period, Sho Ito silenced the home crowd at Jinan Olympic Sports Centre as he gave defending champions Kashima the lead on 10 minutes, linking with Leo Silva and then striding into the area to steer home a low shot.

With Japanese superstar Keisuke Honda playing his first competitive club match in Japan since he left Nagoya Grampus in 2007, it was he who had the first sight of goal but his effort was straight at Hirotsugu Nakabayashi.

But less than a minute after, the home side had the ball in the back of the net at the other end after Brazilian striker Patric, getting the better of the Melbourne defence, cut the ball back for Shunki Higashi to sidefoot the ball home to give his side a dream start.

Buoyed by a maiden Continental win away at Melbourne Victory by the same scoreline on Matchday One, the hosts were on top for the opening spell in their AFC Champions League home debut against the Chinese heavyweights.

Al Nassr wasted no time in getting down to business as Brazilian midfielder Giuliano fired them in front just four minutes into the match.

Giuliano found space inside the Zobahan box and swept home from close range after Hamad Al Mansour advanced on the right and sent a low cross.

Backed by a capacity crowd at Karbala Sport City Stadium, Al Zawraa started on the front foot as Abbas tested Al Wasl goalkeeper Humaid Abdulla from range 17 minutes in, but the Emirati goalkeeper tipped the shot behind for a corner.

The home crowd were sent into raptures as Al Zawraa skipper Samal Saeed fired home the opening goal halfway through the opening period.

The defender capitalised on a poor headed clearance by Abdulla Jassim to take the ball on the half-volley with his left, leaving the goalkeeper watching as his thunderous strike nestled into the back of the net.

The hosts took the game to their opponents’ half from the start and Leonardo was a constant nuisance for the Ittihad defence as he repeatedly tried his luck from outside the box in the opening quarter of an hour.

The Clarets took the lead 16 minutes into the game following a lapse of concentration from Ittihad captain Ahmed Asiri.