Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Melbourne: Massimo Luongo scored his first international goal and provided an assist while Tim Cahill, Mile Jedinak and James Troisi were also on target as hosts Australia recovered from an early setback to begin their AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 campaign with a 4-1 win over Kuwait on Friday. Match highlights: Australia 4-1 Kuwait Click here for match summary
Hussain Fadhel’s eighth minute header had briefly dampened spirits at a sold out Melbourne Rectangular Stadium only for Luongo to set up Cahill to equalise with his 37th international goal 12 minutes before half-time.
And after Luongo headed home his first for the Socceroos at the end of the first half, a penalty from captain Jedinak two minutes after the hour mark and a late strike from Troisi secured all three points for the 2011 finalists in the Group A opener.
Looking to build on reaching the final of the last edition in Qatar, Australia made a bright start on a chilly evening, but the home side were stunned after just eight minutes as Fadhel stooped at the near post to direct a diving header from Aziz Mashaan’s right-wing corner low past goalkeeper Mat Ryan having broken clear of defender Trent Sainsbury.
And Kuwait’s well-organised defence continued to keep a frustrated Australia at bay as the half progressed, with goalkeeper Hameed Youssef largely untested.
But 12 minutes before half-time Luongo evaded the attentions of two Kuwait defenders on the near side of the penalty area after collecting Ivan Franjic’s throw-in before the Swindon Town midfielder played the ball across the edge of the six yard box for an unmarked Cahill to fire high past a helpless Youssef.
And Youssef was beaten again just over a minute before half-time as Luongo superbly directed a towering header from Franjic’s equally impressive right-wing cross high into the net over the exposed Kuwait goalkeeper.
With the second half beginning in light drizzle, Australia’s dominance in possession continued and only a smart save from Youssef denied Cahill in the 58th minute before Mathew Leckie rattled the crossbar less than two minutes later with the Kuwait goalkeeper beaten.
But Australia were able to double their advantage two minutes after the hour mark as captain Jedinak confidently sent Youssef the wrong way from the penalty spot after Robbie Kruse had been upended by Sultan Al Enzi just inside the area.
Kuwait came close to setting up a tense finish as only a fingertip save from Ryan turned Fahad Al Ebrahim’s superb 71st minute effort onto the crossbar, before Australia substitute Nathan Burns followed suit soon after with an acrobatic glancing header at the other end.
But it was Australia who looked the more likely to add to their lead and Troisi’s close-range finish in stoppage time sealed an ultimately impressive victory for the home side.
Photo: WSG