Honda returned to play a club game in Japan for the first time since 2007, but the Osaka-born attacking midfielder was overshadowed at Hiroshima Athletic Stadium by a disciplined performance from last season’s J.League runners-up.

The Thai champions had lost 3-0 at Urawa Red Diamonds on Matchday One while Jeonbuk came into the game on the back of a fine 3-1 victory at home to Beijing FC.

But Supachok’s second-half strike resulted in a reversal of fortune for both sides and put Buriram back on course to compete for a place in the Round of 16 for the second year in a row.

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.

Daegu, playing their first ever home game in the AFC Champions League, could not have picked a more illustrious opponent than the two-time winners and, after both had won their opening fixtures, it was forward Kim who stole the show against the Chinese side.

His inch-perfect cross from the left allowed Brazilian Edgar to volley home midway through the first half, before he found Cesinha, who played in Edgar for Daegu’s second as the interval approached.

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.

Jeonbuk looked the more impressive side in the opening stages and Lee Dong-gook’s volley had to be deflected wide in the 14th minute.

Two minutes later, Siwarak Tedsungnoen did well to hold onto Ricardo Lopes’ awkward bouncing shot from distance.

Looking to bounce back from last week’s 3-1 defeat to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, the home side took immediate control of the game and it was Zhang Xizhe that had the first real chance on goal when he fired low and hard from the edge of the area, forcing a good save from Shusaku Nishikawa after just 10 minutes.

Roger Schmidt’s team should’ve taken the lead eight minutes later when Cedric Bakambu was played in one-on-one with Nishikawa. Having done the hard bit by rounding the Urawa custodian, he inexplicably pulled his shot wide from an acute angle to let the visitors off the hook.