It was the first-ever defeat in the competition for the Japanese side, who were undone by a match-winning performance from Selim Benachour.

It was Benachour's free-kick which led to Al Qadisiya's opener when Fahed Al Ebrahim rose highest to meet the set-piece and nod the ball home after 17 minutes.

Edmilson restored parity just after the half-hour mark though when the Brazilian tapped home Yuichiro Nagai's cross from close range.

Al Qadisiya then made a strong start to the second half and found themselves in front once more when Benachour powered home another free-kick 10 minutes after the interval.

And Khalaf Al Mutairi scored from the penalty spot with nine minutes remaining to make it 3-1 to the hosts following a challenge in the area on Bader Al Mutwa.

Edmilson grabbed his second goal of the match in second-half stoppage time but it was too little too late for the visitors, although they remain in the tie ahead of the return leg in Saitama next week.