Adelaide United made the perfect start to its AFC Champions League Two campaign, defeating Tai Po FC 3-0 at Hindmarsh Stadium on Thursday night.
Goals from Ethan Alagich and Juan Muñiz either side of half-time put the Reds in control before Craig Goodwin came off the bench to put the finishing touch on a commanding return to the Asian stage.
United was dealt a late blow before kick-off when Bart Vriends was forced out after picking up an issue during the warm-up, with Sotiri Phillis promoted into the starting XI.
Brody Burkitt led the line for his first Reds start, while Jacob Brazete started on the left wing and Fabian Talladira lined up at left-back.
Goodwin began the night on the bench as he continues his return from a minor injury, while Ryan White missed the match with a minor complaint.
In Goodwin and Vriend’s absence, Alagich was handed the captain’s armband.
The contest began cautiously, with both sides taking time to settle and get a feel for their opposition.
It was United who found the breakthrough after 18 minutes following a flowing piece of football.
Jonny Yull released Jay Barnett down the right, with the defender driving forward before cutting the ball back into the path of Alagich. The captain for the night made no mistake, finishing confidently to give the Reds a deserved lead.
Brazete was lively throughout the opening half, regularly looking to attack his defender and provide an outlet down the left.
One dangerous delivery was looped towards the back post for Yull, whose ball back across goal was turned behind by the Tai Po defence.
United grew increasingly comfortable as the half progressed, controlling possession and patiently moving Tai Po around.
Burkitt almost marked his first start with a goal on 36 minutes, letting fly from distance and forcing goalkeeper Tse into a strong save.
The Reds finished the opening period on top, moving the ball with increasing confidence around the edge of the penalty area, but went into the break with a one-goal advantage.
There was a new face when the teams emerged for the second half, with Mitchell Smith replacing Burkitt to make his Adelaide United debut.
United wasted little time adding to its lead.
Panagiotis Kikianis produced an incisive pass through the Tai Po defence to release Muñiz, and the Spaniard showed his quality with a composed finish to make it 2-0.
From there, Airton Andrioli’s side remained in control and used the advantage to give valuable minutes across the squad.
Amlani Tatu replaced Brazete 10 minutes into the second half before Anselmo and Goodwin were introduced with around 25 minutes remaining.
For Goodwin, it marked his first appearance for Adelaide United in Asian competition.
And the Club captain did not need long to leave his mark.
Goodwin combined beautifully with Talladira, playing a perfectly timed one-two before calmly placing his finish beyond Tse to make it three and put the result beyond doubt.
It capped an assured night for the Reds, who combined periods of patient possession with clinical moments in attack to secure their first three points of the Group F campaign.
After a long pre-season, it was also a welcome return to competitive action at Hindmarsh Stadium and an emphatic way to begin the Club’s AFC Champions League Two journey.
United will next turn its attention to an away trip to Thailand, facing BG Pathum United at True BG Stadium on Thursday, 15 October at 10:45pm Adelaide time.
