Host Australia Downs Kuwait in Asian Cup Opener
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Australia's national football team humiliated Kuwait in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup opener held on Friday.
In the match held at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in front of 30,000 cheering fans, Australia came from behind to beat Kuwait 4-1 in Group A.
Kuwait’s Hussain Fadhel found the back of the net with a header just after four minutes.
Afterward, Australia put Kuwait under pressure and Tim Cahill equalized the match in the 33rd minute.
Massimo Luongo found the back the Kuwait’s net with a header at the end of the first half. It was Luongo’s first international goal.
In the 60th minute, referee Ravshan Irmatov gave the host a penalty kick and Mile Jedinak scored the third goal.
James Troisi’s stoppage goal made it 4-1.
"I would have preferred we didn't concede the (opening) goal, but from the perspective of seeing the reaction, it was the right kind of reaction," Australia coach Ange Postecoglou said. "They didn't go into their shells and, if anything, it made them more determined to overcome their opponents."
Australia next plays Oman in Sydney on Tuesday, while Kuwait takes on South Korea in Canberra.
