Kawasaki Frontale kicked off the J.League Asia Challenge 2022 with a scintillating 3-1 win over BG Pathum United in front of a sold-out BG Stadium in Thailand.

Thai national team star Chanathip Songkrasin was handed the armband for Frontale as he returned to his home country with his club. The fans cheered his touches and were thrilled to see one of the J.League’s premier clubs take on their local team.

The match had chances in the first half, but it took until after halftime for a breakthrough.

Chanathip found space down the right and picked out Kei Chinen making a run from the back side. He hung a ball up perfectly for Chinen to run onto and, with a mighty leap, Chinen headed the ball into the back of the net for the opening goal.

BGPU, who made it to the quarter-finals of this season’s AFC Champions League, hit back in the 63rd minute when Conrado brilliantly held off a defender before finishing.

The deadlock barely lasted a minute as Frontale’s press forced a turnover and set up Kento Tachibanada, whose curler was perfectly placed in the corner for the 2-1 lead.

Marcinho, fresh off a terrific season in J1, then put the match away in the 74th minute when he raced in behind the whole BGPU defense and rounded the keeper before finishing. The Brazilian then went to the corner, where he celebrated in front of a contingent of Frontale supporters, who joined with the local Pathum fans in enjoying a terrific day of football.