MELBOURNE (AFP) - Australia's Melbourne Victory launched their first AFC Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win over South Korea's Chunnam Dragons here on Wednesday.

Central defenders Kevin Muscat and Rody Vargas scored the goals in each half in Victory's first competitive match since mid-January.

Captain and former Socceroo defender Muscat continued his three-year perfect penalty record in the 29th minute.

The former Glasgow Rangers and Millwall hardman has never missed from the spot in his Victory career.

His impressive record was extended after Matthew Kemp won the penalty kick, being brought down by Jung In-whan while bearing down on goal.

The second goal came in the 64th minute, with Vargas heading home a cross from new signing Billy Celeski.

After going behind, the Chunnam coach brought on his second Brazilian forward Sandro Hiroshi to give Victor Simoes more support up front.

But it was Victory who could have added to their lead before half-time, with Socceroos striker Arhcie Thompson having two good attempts saved by Dragons keeper Yeom Dong-gyun.

Simoes went close to drawing the Dragons level in the 62nd minute, with his curling left-footed shot just going wide of the left upright.

But Vargas grabbed the crucial second goal for the Victory, stooping to put a well-placed header past the Korean goalkeeper.

The Victory's next Champions' League group match is away to Thai outfit Chonburi next Wednesday, while Chunnam are at home to Japan's Gamba Osaka.