The Australian striker played a major part as Nagoya claimed their seventh consecutive win and continued their run of 14 games without defeat, during which Kennedy has scored nine goals.

Kennedy first assisted Yoshizumi Ogawa for the opener on 23 minutes, before the Socceroo netted six minutes before the break.

The result moves the champions into top spot ahead of Kashiwa Reysol who go to Jubilo Iwata on Sunday.

Kennedy now has 10 goals for the 2011 J.League season and is equal topscorer alongside Japan internationals Keiji Tamada and Tadanari Lee.

In England's Premier League, Mark Schwarzer kept a clean sheet on the opening day of the season as Fulham drew 0-0 with Aston Villa.

Elsewhere, Brett Emerton started but went off at half-time with a hamstring strain as Blackburn went down 2-1 at home to Wolverhampton.

In England's Championship, teenager Ryan Williams made another appearance as an 83rd-minute substitute in Portsmouth's 1-0 home defeat to Brighton.

In Germany's Bundesliga, Mathew Leckie was a 77th-minute substitute as Borussia Moenchengladbach drew 1-1 with VfB Stuttgart.

Elsewhere, Nikita Rukavytsya was an 81st-minute substitute as Hertha BSC drew 2-2 at Hamburg SV, while Mitchell Langerak was an unused sub as Dortmund went down to Hoffenheim 1-0.

In Holland's Eredivisie, Brett Holman overcame the groin injury which kept him out of the Socceroos midweek clash with Wales to play a full game in AZ Alkmaar's 2-0 loss at FC Twente.

Meanwhile, fellow Australian midfielder James Holland was in the AZ Alkmaar matchday squad but didn't see game-time.