South China were left with a mountain to climb after losing 2-0 in their Asian Cup-Winners' Cup quarter-final, first-leg encounter with Grampus Eight last night.
Grampus, cheered on by a small pack of drum-beating fans in a match attended by only 1,530 spectators, peppered South China's defence in a professional performance - giving the Caroliners a tall order in the return leg at the Hong Kong Stadium on October 22.
Minutes before the game, South China suffered a blow when prolific goalscorer Dale Tempest complained of a toe injury picked up in training on Tuesday.
Having played for the first 45 minutes in obvious pain, the 32-year-old striker could no longer continue, and was replaced by midfielder Leslie Santos at half-time.
It was not the start South China had hoped for with the Caroliners's attack unable to make an impact.
Tempest was still optimistic that the Caroliners could overcome the Japanese in the return leg, although the team will have their work cut out for them.