A 78th-minute goal from Ryota Morioka helped Charleroi kick off the Belgian first-division season with a 1-0 victory over reigning champions Club Brugge on Saturday.

Ryota Morioka celebrates scoring the winner as Charleroi kick off the Belgian first-division season with a 1-0 victory over reigning champions Club Brugge. (Kyodo)

The Japanese midfielder dispossessed Club Brugge defender Brandon Mechele and fired the winner past keeper Simon Mignolet at Jan Breydel Stadium to secure three points for the visitors.

Charleroi finished third in the Belgian top flight last season which was cut short by the coronavirus pandemic. Morioka contributed six goals in what was his second season with the club.

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