Melbourne Victory made a winning start to their debut AFC Champions League campaign, with central defenders Kevin Muscat and Rodrigo Vargas scoring the goals in a 2-0 victory over Chunnam Dragons.

The Korean side had their moments at Telstra Dome, especially in the second half, but the Victory deserved the three points in their first competitive match since mid-January.

Captain Muscat continued his three-year perfect record from the penalty spot in the 29th minute.

The second goal came in the 64th minute, with Vargas heading home a fine swinging cross from new signing Billy Celeski.

Dragons coach Park Hang-seo had singled out Archie Thompson as the Victory danger man before the match.

And the fleet-footed striker was at the centre of many of the home side's best attacking moves before a crowd of 23,656.

gutsy 10-man Adelaide United have started their AFC Champions League campaign in style with a surprise 2-0 victory over the Pohang Steelers.

Out of season and after a disappointing A-League campaign, United weren't expected to trouble the K-League play-off winners but laid on a goal in each half to secure the result.

Robert Cornthwaite and Bruce Djite got the goals in a spirited performance from the visitors, who had Jonas Salley sent off on half-time.

United took the lead in only the third minute when Cornthwaite headed home a right-sided corner from Lucas Pantelis.

Pohang almost equalised as Denilson's shot was deflected onto the bar.

Adelaide was reduced to 10 men when Salley, already booked for a foul, was carded again for kicking the ball away after the referee has stopped play.

Seconds later Pohang striker Nam Kung-do fired an acrobatic half-volley against the crossbar.

Pohang piled on the pressure in the second half but was unable to break down the resolute United backline.

On the hour, Adelaide doubled its advantage.

A long-ball from Cassio was mis-kicked by Jason Spagnuolo at the left corner of the penalty area but the ball spun past the advancing Pohang goalkeeper and Djite fired into an empty net.

With eight minutes remaining, Pohang's chances were finished when defender Park Won-jae was shown two yellow cards inside 30 seconds.

In the other Group E game, Chinese Super League champions Changchun Yatai made the ideal start to their first ever Asian Champions League campaign with a win against Binh Duong of Vietnam.

AAP