Kashima, Gamba Osaka Cruise to Opening Wins! Kyoto Suffer 1-0 Away Defeat [Summary: ACL Elite League Stage MD1]

The East Region of the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Elite™ got under way on 15 September, with Kashima Antlers, Gamba Osaka and Kyoto Sanga F.C. all in action on Matchday 1.
 
Kashima hosted Australia's Newcastle Jets and took control from the outset. Cavric opened the scoring in the 11th minute and struck again five minutes later before an own goal made it 3-0 in the 19th minute. Homare Tokuda added a fourth in the 40th minute, and Cavric completed his hat-trick two minutes later to give Kashima a 5-0 lead at half-time.
 
Kashima continued to dominate after the break, with Tokuda scoring his second of the night in the 56th minute before substitute Kyosuke Tagawa made it 7-0 in the 73rd. Newcastle pulled one back later on, but Kashima ran out emphatic 7-1 winners.
 
Gamba Osaka also made a winning start at home to Vietnam's Cong An Ha Noi FC. Takashi Usami opened the scoring in the 29th minute before Yusei Toshida doubled their advantage in the 58th. Usami struck again in the 67th minute to make it 3-0. Gamba conceded in the 79th minute, but Kohshiro Sumi completed the scoring in the 90+3rd minute to seal a convincing 4-1 victory.
 
Kyoto, meanwhile, travelled to face Daejeon Hana Citizen of Korea Republic. They conceded the only goal of the match in the 78th minute and were unable to find an equaliser as they fell to a 1-0 away defeat.

■Match Data
Kashima vs. Newcastle Jets FC
Gamba Osaka vs. Cong An Ha Noi FC
Daejeon Hana Citizen vs. Kyoto