The 27-year-old Socceroo, who drew a blank midweek in Australia's 1-0 win over Indonesia, headed down Mu Kanazaki's 15th minute cross for Keiji Tamada to score from close-range to give Nagoya the lead.

But the hosts responded when Takahiro Futagawa scored a fine equaliser from the edge of the box on 22 minutes.

Kennedy and Nagoya, though, would have the last laugh with the Aussie scoring a tap-in on 69 minutes to give Grampus the ideal start to the new campaign.

Elsewhere, Matthew Spiranovic was on the bench as Urawa Reds lost 2-0 at champions Kashima Antlers, while last season's runners-up Kawasaki Frontale defeated Albirex Niigata 2-1.