By Daniel Etchells

Hosts Australia started their AFC Asian Cup campaign with victory against Kuwait ©Getty ImagesHosts Australia came from behind against Kuwait to win 4-1 in the first match of the 2015 Asian Cup at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, which followed a glamorous Opening Ceremony showcasing local culture.

The Socceroos quartet of Tim Cahill, Massimo Luongo, Mile Jedinak and James Troisi got their names on the scoresheet to cancel out Hussain Fadhel's early opener for Kuwait and take all three points from the Group A encounter. 

Luongo provided an assist for Cahill before scoring his first international goal to put Ange Postecoglou's side 2-1 in front at half-time.

Jedinak scored from the penalty spot after Sultan Al Enzi was adjudged to have upended Robbie Kruse in the area, with Troisi wrapping up the victory in stoppage time.

"The match was difficult as we expected," Kuwait coach Nabil Maâloul told the Asian Cup's official website.

"Australia are very strong and better than our team physically, and with their speed, they are faster than our team.

"They deserved to win this match."

Australian DJ Havana Brown performed during the AFC Asian Cup Opening Ceremony ©Getty ImagesAustralian DJ Havana Brown performed during the AFC Asian Cup Opening Ceremony ©Getty Images



The Tunisian, appointed just last month, added: "The physical fitness of the Australia team helped stop our team, especially our forwards.

"We asked our players to press Australia in the second half, but the third goal which was scored from a penalty made our players go back and affected our performance negatively."

Australian DJ Havana Brown and indie pop band Sheppard entertained the sold-out crowd as part of the 11-minute Opening Ceremony, which also featured 200 junior performers.

Tomorrow's action sees South Korea face Oman in Group A, while in Group B, Uzbekistan meet North Korea and Saudi Arabia go up against China.

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