Asia staged a remarkable comeback on the first day of the Royal Trophy to win the opening Foursomes 3-1, taking a massive stride towards an historic first victory over Europe.

Things looked gloomy for Joe Ozaki and his players early on, as they trailed in all four matches after the first hour of play.

But they showed tremendous fighting qualities, and ninety minutes later they had turned it round to lead in two matches, and they were all square in the other two.

There were plenty more twists and turns to come before a classic day of match play ended with Asia holding a precious two point lead going into Saturday's Fourball.

Captain Ozaki had been talking up his team's chances all week, but he admitted even he did not dare to imagine they would win the opening session in such emphatic style.

He commented: "Compared to my experience at the last Royal Trophy, when the Asian team did not win a single match on the first two days, it felt like I must be dreaming to be 3-1 ahead.

"Now I believe my team has the confidence from today's performance to go on and play just as well over the next two days.

"I was a little bit depressed at first when we were down in all four matches. But I was confident they would do better on the back nine because my players are all very good. So I was not too downhearted."

Ozaki's spirits rose as Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng produced a stunning birdie blitz on the front nine to blow away the Swedish duo of Niclas Fasth and Johan Edfors.

Thongchai and Prayad delighted the home supporters with five birdies in the space of seven holes, cancelling out the 2&1 victory achieved by Paul Lawrie and Soren Hansen after a see-saw duel with Japan's Ryo Ishikawa and Toru Taniguchi.

The 17 year old Ishikawa showed some of the star quality that has seen him hailed as the new Tiger Woods by holing a couple of outrageous thirty footers to keep his team alive.

But Lawrie and Hansen called on all their Ryder Cup experience to keep the pressure on, and prevent an improbable Asian clean sweep.

Former Open champion Lawrie said: "They holed a few big, big putts just to stay with us, but you expect that in these team matches. Soren and I have both played Ryder Cup and you have to expect the unexpected.

"You have to expect the other guys to hole every putt because it happens so often in these games.

"I was great to be able to get back in front on 15 after Soren’s great pitch. Then he did the same again on 16 and I managed to roll the putt in again, and we were never going to give it back after that."

Prayad matched Ishikawa by holing two monster putts, but his 'bombs' had a much more profound effect on the outcome of his match.

He explained: "Part of the game plan was for me and Thongchai to get the crowds involved, and we did that when I holed long putts on the third and the fifth holes. Getting them excited will help the whole Asian team.

"We felt this was a match we could win because we know we play well together. We thought maybe our opponents would not have quite the same understanding we have built up from playing together many times.

"I was happy with the way I played today, especially as I have been a bit ill. I have had a touch of flu, and an in growing fingernail, but it all seems much better now!"

It kept on getting better for the Asian team, as Charlie Wi and Liang Wen-Chong came back from three down against Paul McGinley and Pablo Larrazabal to win on the final green.

That could also prove a crucial psychological blow, as it was McGinley's first defeat in his third Royal Trophy appearance. Casting a few seeds of doubt in the mind of a man who has also played on three winning Ryder Cup teams must help the Asian cause.

Hideto Tanihara and S.K.Ho completed a memorable day for the home team as they won the last three holes to defeat the highly-rated English duo of Oliver Wilson and Nick Dougherty.

European captain Jose Maria Olzabal admitted: "The whole European team was very disappointed today. We did not play to our usual standards.

"The players need to push the pedal down when we are in front. I said earlier in the week we must respect the Asian team because they are in good form, and tomorrow we are going to have to play our guts out to try to cut the deficit."