Melbourne Victory's nightmares with the Asian Champions League continued unabated tonight with a thrashing in Japan. Gamba Osaka humiliated Melbourne 5-1 in the opening game of their Champions League group.

Victory were 3-0 down inside the first ten minutes after giving away two goals and a penalty. Archie Thompson later secured a penalty for Melbourne which Kevin Muscat duly converted from the spot.

But it was a tiny respite as the J-League giants struck twice in the second-half, on the hour mark and in injury time.

While two teams qualify for the next round, Melbourne's dismal start suggests the gap between the A-League and Asia's elite competitions is growing.