World Club champions Boca Juniors opened the inaugural Vodafone Cup with a thumping win over spirited Japanese outfit Urawa Red Diamonds.

Not even the presence of former Aston Villa defender Alpay in the Urawa defence was enough to save them from a hammering at the hands of opponents who proved far too slick once they had recovered from an early Emerson penalty.

Certainly, hosts Manchester United would not appear to have much to fear when they tackle the Urawa on Thursday, with watching Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson no doubt delighted Boca are not on the agenda during a congested and demanding pre-season programme.

The Japanese outfit, backed by a vocal majority in a sparse crowd, were in front inside a minute as Emerson darted into the penalty area and was sent tumbling by keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri.

The Brazilian picked himself up and confidently sent his assailant the wrong way to earn Urawa the first point of a tournament that rewards each goal scored.

While Urawa moved forward with enthusiasm every time they took possession, it soon became apparent that Boca were a far more battle-hardened side and more clinical in their approach.

They were also adept at exposing Urawa's obvious failings at set pieces and two similar goals in four minutes turned the game on its head.

On both occasions, Diego Cagna was the provider with curling free-kicks. The first one, from the right edge of the Urawa penalty box, was nodded home at the far post by Martin Palermo.

The second, delivered from the opposite side of the area, was met by Fabian Vargas, who evaded some slack marking and fired home a first-time volley.

Urawa battled back gamely and Emerson wasted a couple of chances before picking up a booking for a nasty challenge on Pablo Ledesma.

The inspirational Brazilian was also heavily involved in the Urawa move just after the interval that almost brought them level, playing a fine pass into the path of Koji Yamase, whose shot was well blocked by Abbondanzieri.

It was the Argentinians though who looked most like finding the net again and, just as they had done in the opening period, followed one goal with another soon afterwards.

Urawa were still recovering from Franco Cangele curling home an impressive third when Ariel Carreno cut a neat cross back from the right wing which Diego Cagna gleefully smashed into the net.

Matias Silvestre rose unchallenged to head home a corner from former Middlesbrough man Carlos Marinelli with nine minutes remaining, although it was Urawa who had the final word, Takuya Yokohama steering a neat header into the corner to give the vocal Japanese fans something else to cheer.