Of the 11 who started Tuesday's AFC Champions League Play-off for defending champions Kashima, only new signing Ito had not been a part of the historic triumph in Tehran last November.

But the former Yokohama F. Marinos forward took little time in adjusting to the continental game, opening the scoring at Kashima Soccer Stadium in the 18th minute with his maiden goal for the club.

Despite being crowned Asia’s club kings last November, Kashima’s third place finish in the 2018 J.League season meant they had to earn their place in this year’s Group Stage with the visit of the A-League side.

And they got their continental campaign off to a positive start in front of a noisy home support when Leo Silva’s shot was re-directed with a backheeled flick by Serginho, only to see Newcastle custodian Glen Moss push the ball onto the post.

The action in eastern China began in lively fashion with chances at either goal in the opening 15 minutes.

Zhang Chi and Roger Guedes fired over when inside the area for Shandong, while Hanoi FC forward Pape Omar also went close after some slick passing from the Vietnamese club.

Former Southampton striker Pelle then had a header on target shortly after, before a slick one-two with Guedes saw the Italian fire in a firm strike that brought a fine stop from Nguyen Van Cong.

After Hwang Il-su went off with an early injury, his replacement Kim In-sung could have opened the scoring in the ninth minute but dragged his shot narrowly wide after bursting into the penalty area with intent.

But the hosts then did go in front midway through the half when Kim Tae-hwan broke into the box after a lovely give-and-go with Kim Bo-kyung and his cross was diverted into his own net by the unfortunate Amirul Azhan.

The lively Kim In-sung struck a low effort from outside the penalty area just minutes later but Perak goalkeeper Hafizul Hakim was equal to the challenge and tipped wide for a corner.

Former quarter-finalists Shandong had kicked off their play-off match against Hanoi, yet to appear at the Group Stage, as favourites but the Vietnamese champions impressed in the first half, taking a deserved lead through captain Nguyen Van Quyet before the break.

Coach Li Xiaopeng responded by bringing on Liu Junshuai for Wu Xinghan after the restart and the 24-year-old made the difference, firing home after Hanoi's defence failed to deal with a Liu Binbin header across goal.

Chiangrai had the first sight on goal inside 10 minutes at a saturated Hiroshima Athletic Stadium when Brazilian defender Brinner headed Lee Yong-rae’s corner from the left straight at goalkeeper Keisuke Osako.

Hiroshima were then given the perfect chance to open the scoring in the 10th minute when Tanasak Srisai handled Yusuke Minagawa’s goal bound effort and the referee pointed to the spot, only for Minagawa to see his ensuing spot kick well saved by custodian Saranon Anuin.

Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad had qualified directly to the group stage, but the Riyadh-based club had to navigate a play-off first to join the rest of the kingdom’s ‘Big four’.

The debutants from Uzbekistan had two clear-cut chances in an otherwise compact first half at Prince Faisal bin Fahad Stadium in the Saudi capital.