Sydney FC have erased an early deficit to defeat Kaya FC 4-1 in their Asian Champions League 2 (ACL2) clash at Manila's Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Entering the game buoyed by a 5-0 thrashing of Hong Kong outfit Eastern Sports Club in their opening continental hit-out, Sydney were put on their heels within minutes on Thursday evening when Daizo Horikoshi fired Kaya ahead.
In sapping heat, the Sky Blues laboured in their attempts to respond but eventually restored parity through Joe Lolley after 26 minutes.
Patryk Klimala's quickfire second-half brace subsequently secured the visitors a buffer before Nathan Amanatidis delivered a 95th-minute sealer.
Next for Ufuk Talay's side will be the stiffest test of their group stage, away to J1 League leaders Sanfrecce Hiroshima on October 23 – five days after they commence their A-League Men campaign against bitter rivals Western Sydney.
The Sydney coach will be looking for a quicker start in those games after Jovin Bedic set Horikoshi up to blast a shot Andrew Redmayne couldn't hold within moments of the opening kick-off in the Philippines capital.
A frustrating half an hour followed before Lolley reacted quickly when Leo Sena's high delivery sat up and rifled in an equaliser.
The hosts could have re-taken the lead in the 53rd minute when Sena cheaply gave away possession but Shuto Komaki couldn't beat Redmayne.
Sydney took advantage and went ahead six minutes later when superstar Brazilian import Douglas Costa whipped in an inch-perfect cross for Klimala to head home.
Another of Sydney's imports then set Klimala up for his second in the 63rd minute when German midfielder Anas Ouahim delivered a cross the Polish striker turned in.
Kaya furiously attempted to find a way back into the game but were punished in transition by Amanatidis' first senior goal.
