Kobe went in front when Diego’s long throw deep into the penalty area was flicked on by Issei Takahashi and Komatsu pounced at the far post to push his right-foot shot over the line.

Port FC twice threatened through Al Sabhi only for the Omani forward to miss-control having been found in space behind the Kobe defensive line.

The Japanese, however, were unable to punish the Thai League 1 side again despite their best efforts in what remained of the opening half.

Diego was released down the left flank to cut the ball back towards Yosuke Ideguchi on the edge of the penalty area but his first-time shot was narrowly wide of Michael Falkesgaard’s right post with the goalkeeper well beaten.

Komatsu was inches away from a second in the 32nd minute when he held off Peerawat Akkratum to shoot goalward, his attempt rolling marginally wide, and, in the fourth minute of first half stoppage time, the Thais pulled level.

Bruno Moreira swung his cross towards the far post from the left where Al Sabhi rose to head towards goal, the ball beating Shuichi Gonda via a deflection off the raised left hand of Komatsu.

Halftime substitute Yuya Osako was denied by Falksgaard six minutes into the second half when the ex-Japan forward unleashed a strike that the goalkeeper kept out with his right foot. Muto’s header was pushed past the post by the Philippines custodian seconds later.

 

Ideguchi was just off target with a first time strike as the hour mark approached and a minute later Muto restored Kobe’s advantage, deftly controlling Osako’s pass to the right before cleverly lifting the ball over the diving Falksgaard.

Substitute Erik saw his shot saved by Falksgaard while Caetano and Takahashi sought to add to Kobe’s advantage but in the end Michael Skibbe’s side had done enough to secure an opening win on the road.