Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes praised his players' mental resilience after following a 7,000-mile round trip to Kazakhstan with victory over Dundee United at Tannadice.
United lost 3-0 at home to United on the opening day of last season after going out of the Europa League days earlier, but they showed little sign of their epic journey as Kenny McLean headed the only goal in the 83rd minute.
McLean had netted a crucial away goal in the 2-1 defeat by Kairat Almaty and his looping, backward header from David Goodwillie's cross could be just as important if Aberdeen are to mount a Ladbrokes Premiership title challenge.
McInnes said: "I'm absolutely delighted with everything, given the circumstances.
"There was lots of determination and good play, as an away team we had a fair level of control for long spells.
"After we went in front there was a maturity about our performance.
"We were bemoaning the lack of quality in the final third - the last pass, cross, set-play delivery was disappointing.
"I think time and time again we let them off the hook with poor delivery.
"But that's nit-picking.
"With everything we had to endure prior to coming here, the fitness levels, the strength and the determination was what we should be talking about.
"And I'm delighted for Kenny because I thought he was the best man on the park."
Aberdeen were backed by 3,500 travelling fans in a crowd of more than 10,000 and McInnes was delighted to see his players rise to the occasion.
"I always felt we would be fit enough, it was the mental side of it," he said.
"We couldn't have tired minds, we had to treat the game as the first day of the season, that anticipation and excitement
Our fans were treating it that way and they deserved to see their team treat it the same way."
Source: PA
Source: PA