A cautious start to the game saw both sides limited to shy attempts in the opening 20 minutes. Al Ain’s Rayan Yaslam tried his luck on the half-volley from outside the box, but Mehdi Rahmati easily saved, and Bandar Mohamed sent his effort from the free-kick wide and high.

At the other end of the pitch Mohamed Fayez threw his body to block Farshid Bagheri’s shot in the 23rd minute, which was headed goalward with Al Ain goalkeeper Khaled Eisa fallen on the ground having punched away the cross.

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.

The Thai side won the first leg 3-2 at Buriram Stadium last year before being eliminated following a 2-0 defeat in Korea Republic, but the hosts will be hopeful that home backing can again prove inspirational against the two-time champions.

Buriram lost their opening Group G game 3-0 against 2017 winners Urawa Red Diamonds but returned to Thailand to post their first Thai League 1 victory this season after seeing off Prachuap 2-0 on Saturday.

The side from Korea Republic played out a scoreless draw with Sydney FC in Australia last week before returning home and repeating the scoreline against Gangwon in K League 1 on Sunday.

Ulsan and Shanghai met for the first time in the competition last year, playing out a 2-2 draw in Shanghai then, a year to the day before Wednesday’s meeting, the Chinese side won 1-0 in Ulsan.