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Andres Iniesta and David Villa led Vissel Kobe to victory in the Emperor's Cup final in Japan on Saturday.

The World Cup winners, and former Germany star Lukas Podolski, were on the winning side in a 2-0 win over Kashima Antlers, in the first football match to be played at Tokyo's National Stadium, built for this year's Olympic Games.

Antlers defender Tomoya Inukai put through his own net after just 18 minutes to hand Kobe the lead.

And seven minutes before half-time, Kobe striker Noriaki Fujimoto double their advantage.

With no further goals, it allowed Kobe, coached by former Germany international Thorsten Fink, to put their hands on silverware for the first time in their 54-year history.

That vindicates the big spending of owner Hiroshi Mikitani - founder, chairman and CEO of Rakuten - in recent years, having forked out on big wages for the trio and others, including Thomas Vermaelen and Sergi Samper.

(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The victory ensures a first ever move into the Asian Champions League, and provided a triumphant finale to the career of Villa.

The 37-year-old striker, Spain’s all-time record goalscorer, made a brief cameo as a 92nd-minute substitute following an injury-hit season.

(Image: KIMIMASA MAYAMA/EPA-EFE/REX)

He was greeted by rapturous cheers from his side’s supporters after a successful campaign that saw him score 13 goals in 28 league matches.

Villa scored 59 times for Spain during his career that saw him win the World Cup and European Championship with his country and the 2011 Champions League with Barcelona .