Melbourne Victory got their Asian Champions League campaign off to a winning start when they defeated Thai champions Chiangrai United 1-0 at AAMI Park on Tuesday night, the first time they have won an opening game in the competition for four years.

But there was little else to enthuse about in this disjointed, jittery performance.

Ola Toivonen celebrates after scoring the only goal of the game from the penalty spot. Credit:Getty Images AsiaPac

Ola Toivonen had some nice touches and scored the crucial penalty that decided the game, Marco Rojas looked purposeful when he came off the bench late in the match and Elvis Kamsoba worked hard throughout.

Not that Kamsoba was a glittering star or anything, but in a stodgy first half he was at least the source of some inspiration - although he was guilty late in the game of a glaring miss that would have given the hosts a two-goal buffer and a less nervous finale.