“This was the first stage for us and it was a very big one,” said Kuroda. “It was a really, really tough game but I’m so pleased all the players are united and kept a clean sheet. I’m so happy for them.”

Yengi’s goal came when the Australian forward made the most of the chaos caused by a long throw from Kotaro Hayashi into the Al Ittihad penalty area and Kuroda admitted the move had been pre-planned in an effort to unsettle the Saudi Pro League champions.

“These long throw are one of our tactics,” said Kuroda. “It’s unusual for them to be seen in the world game and it was probably a surprise for our opponent, but it made an impact because we managed to score.

“We presented a situation that was the culmination of something we work on every day. We were aware we weren’t going to have many chances, so we made the most of our chances and kept a clean sheet. This is our game and I’m very proud of the team.

“In football there is a winner and a loser. This time we won but sometimes we lose as well. I think we were lucky today.”

The goal was Yengi’s third in the AFC Champions League Elite since joining Machida on a five-month loan from Scottish side Livingston in January and the 25-year-old was delighted to have seen off Al Ittihad’s star-studded line-up.

“I’m so happy and so grateful to play in these games,” said Yengi. “It was a difficult game against very good players, players we were watching growing up. I’m grateful to play against them and to score.

“I’m so happy for the team. I’m the player of the match but it could’ve been any one in the team. We have another game coming up and we have to recover.”