Kashiwa Reysol's Tatsuya Matsushima (L) and Auckland City's Adam Dickson fight for the ball during their FIFA Club World Cup match in Toyota, central Japan, Thursday. — Reuters TOYOTA, Japan – Five days after winning the J-League title, Kashiwa Reysol beat Oceania representative Auckland City 2-0 Thursday in its opening match of the Club World Cup. Junya Tanaka and Masato Kudo scored within four minutes of each other in the first half as Reysol built on the momentum of Saturday's 3-1 win over Urawa Reds. That win allowed the Japanese team to become the first in J-League history to win a championship in the season following promotion. Tanaka made it 1-0 in the 37th minute after receiving a pass from Wataru Hashimoto, eluding two defenders and sending an angled left-footed shot past goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley. Kudo doubled the lead three minutes later, beating Spoonley from close range after a free kick from Leandro Domingues hit the post. “We became champions on Saturday and didn't have much time to prepare for this match as there were a lot of celebrations,” Kashiwa coach Nelsinho said. “But the two goals allowed us to take control and perform steadily throughout the match.” The Club World Cup is in Japan for the first time since 2008 after two editions in the United Arab Emirates. Champions League winner Barcelona and South American champion Santos are seeded and don't enter the tournament until semifinals begin next Thursday. Kashiwa advanced to Sunday's quarterfinals against CONCACAF champion Monterrey of Mexico. African champion Esperance Sportive De Tunis meets Asian Champions League winner Al-Sadd in the second of the two quarterfinals Sunday.
