MELBOURNE: Marouane Fellaini made his AFC Champions League debut for China's Shandong Luneng on Tuesday but the former Manchester United midfielder was outshone by Graziano Pelle, who scored both goals in the 2-2 draw at Gyeongnam FC.
Meanwhile Melbourne Victory slumped to their first home group-stage defeat in eight years as Brazilian striker Cesinha inspired a dream debut for South Korea's Daegu FC.
The 2018 winners Kashima Antlers got their campaign off to a winning start, as did two-time champions Guangzhou Evergrande, with Brazilians Anderson Talisca and Paulinho on target.
Former Southampton striker Pelle opened the scoring with a close-range header after 21 minutes at the Changwon Stadium in South Korea, only for the home side to strike twice in eight second-half minutes through Woo Ju-sung and a clever dinked finish from Kim Seung-jun.
The big Italian Pelle turned his marker and equalised for Shandong from close range in the 77th minute and should have bagged a hat-trick and all three points, but his 88th-minute header went wide.
In Australia, the impressive Cesinha scored a spectacular equaliser and had a hand in both other goals as the South Korean side came from behind in their first ever group-stage match to stun Melbourne Victory 3-1.
Victory, forced into an embarrassing last-minute kit change after their sponsor was found to have links to a betting company, took a first-half lead through big Swede Ola Toivonen.
But it took just two minutes for Cesinha to level for Daegu when he thumped home a volley from outside the box after being set up by fellow Brazilian Edgar.
Man of the match Cesinha's mazy run from half-way in the 51st minute found Hwang Soon-min on the left and his deflected shot looped over the stranded goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas for 2-1.
And Cesinha was provider again 10 minutes later when his cross was poked home as the tall Edgar snaked out a long right leg to stun the home fans.
Reigning Asian champions Kashima prevailed 2-1 at home against a spirited Johor Darul Tazim of Malaysia, who were also making their debut at this level.
The home side's goals came either side of half-time from Taiki Hirata and Serginho, who atoned for a first-half penalty miss with a fine curled finish.
In Guangzhou, Talisca and Paulinho scored within seven minutes of one another to see off Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2-0.
Fabio Cannavaro's Chinese Super League side threatened to score almost every time they went forward against their Japanese visitors.
Talisca, who has represented Brazil at under-23 level, made his mark on 19 minutes as the attacking midfielder headed home unimpeded.
Compatriot Paulinho, who has 56 caps for Brazil, nudged the ball in with his chest on the goal line on 26 minutes to put Evergrande level with Daegu on three points at the top of Group F.