Marquee striker David Villa scored his maiden J-League goal Saturday for Vissel Kobe, netting the winner in the second half of a 1-0 victory over visiting Sagan Tosu.
In a match featuring three big-name former Spain internationals -- Villa, teammate Andres Iniesta and Sagan forward Fernando Torres -- it was the home side who largely dictated play at Noevir Stadium Kobe.
(David Villa)
But despite putting on a passing clinic with overwhelming dominance of possession, first-division glamor side Vissel went into the break having put just one shot on target to their opponents' three.
Vissel had a chance in the opening minutes when former Germany forward Lukas Podolski dribbled into the box and crossed just ahead of winger Kyogo Furuhashi in the goalmouth.
(Andres Iniesta)
Villa showed his attacking intent early, volleying wide off a ball over the top from another off-season signing, Japan World Cup squad member Hotaru Yamaguchi.
The Spanish forward came within inches of scoring in the 34th minute, rocking the crossbar from just inside the area after Brazilian center-back Dankler found him with a through-ball.
Villa, the Spanish national team's all-time leading scorer, looked to set up Furuhashi with a back-heel moments later, but his Japanese strike partner fired just wide from outside the box.
The former Valencia forward found the net with a poacher's goal nine minutes after the break, capitalizing on a defensive mistake to score from the middle of the area.
With Yamaguchi lofting another long ball toward the Spaniard, Sagan center back Yuji Takahashi intercepted with a header, but the ball ricocheted off teammate Hiroyuki Taniguchi and into the path of Villa, who calmly slotted past keeper Takuo Okubo.
The gloveman kept his side from going down 2-0 late in the match when he denied Podolski one-on-one on a breakaway.
The victory secured the first points of the season for Juan Manuel Lillo's Vissel, who opened their campaign with a 1-0 loss to Cerezo Osaka.
"While I was able to score, I'm really pleased we got three points and picked up our first points of the season," Villa said.
The striker, whose every touch was cheered by home fans, said he was heartened by the enthusiastic support from the 25,000-strong crowd.
"We can't achieve anything without you giving us your strength," the 37-year-old told the crowd in his post-match interview. "It's a long season, but if we go forward together, like a family, I think we can achieve a lot."
In other first-division results Saturday, New signing Edigar Junio netted a brace to help Yokohama F Marinos go two wins from two with a 2-1 victory over Vegalta Sendai.
The 27-year-old striker from Brazil opened the scoring from the penalty spot before adding a second ahead of the break.
(Ademilson)
Nagoya Grampus also picked up their second win, beating visiting Cerezo 2-0 thanks to a pair of late goals from substitute forward Shuhei Akasaki.
At IAI Stadium, Brazilian striker Ademilson netted a second-half brace for the visitors as Gamba Osaka beat Shimizu S-Pulse 4-2.
Urawa Reds remain without a point following a 2-0 loss to Consadole Sapporo at Saitama Stadium, with forward Musashi Suzuki scoring both goals for the visitors.
FC Tokyo came back from an early deficit to beat Shonan Bellmare 3-2 on the road, while traveling Matsumoto Yamaga beat Oita Trinita 1-0 in a battle of the division's two newly promoted sides.
