Melbourne Victory made a winning start to their first Asian Champions League campaign, with central defenders Kevin Muscat and Rody Vargas scoring the goals in a 2-0 victory over Chunnam Dragons.

The Korean side had their moments at Telstra Dome, especially in the second half, but the Victory deserved the three points in their first competitive match since mid-January.

Captain Muscat continued his three-year perfect record from the penalty spot in the 29th minute.

The second goal came in the 64th minute, with Vargas heading home a fine swinging free kick from impressive new signing Billy Celeski.

The match ended in controversy, with the Chunnam players surrounding Singaporean referee Malik Abdul Bashir after he denied forward Ju Kwang-youn what appeared to be a legitimate penalty and then booked him for diving.

"As you saw I have a bit of a concern (with the referee) but I cannot make many more comments," said Chunnam coach Park Hang-seo.

The Korean side were missing three internationals through injury, including skipper Kwak Tae-hwi, but Park said their availability may not have changed the result.

"Their physical fitness is superior and they took full advantage of the weaknesses of our team," he said."

The Dragons coach had singled out Archie Thompson as the Victory danger man before the match.

And the fleet-footed striker was at the centre of many of the home side's best attacking moves before a crowd of 23,656.

But it was Thompson who gave Chunnam the best early scoring chance, when his mis-hit pass was intercepted by Ju in the 21st minute.

Ju found Dragons' Brazilian striker Victor Simoes, who brought a fine save out of Victory keeper Michael Theoklitos.

After a largely uneventful first half-hour, Victory opened the scoring in the 29th minute through talisman Muscat.

The skipper has never missed from the penalty spot in his Victory career.

That impressive record was extended after Matthew Kemp won the penalty, being scythed down by Jung In-whan while bearing down on goal.

Victor Simoes went close to drawing the Dragons level in the 62nd minute, with his curling left-footed shot just going wide of the left upright.

But Vargas grabbed the crucial second goal for the Victory in the 64th minute, stooping to put a well-placed header past the Korean keeper.

Allsopp was denied a goal in the 79th minute when a line-ball offside decision went against him.

At the other end, Theoklitos ensured a clean sheet with a spectacular close-range save from Hiroshi in the 83rd minute.

"It went to the script really well," said Victory coach Ernie Merrick.

"It was how we wanted to play and under a lot of pressure because we really had to win that game, and I thought the boys were outstanding.

"The first half was one of those halves where I thought we should have scored three goals and you can pay for it in the second half.

"But the boys kept their discipline and shape."

The Victory's next ACL match is away to Thai outfit Chonburi next Wednesday.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP