3 minute read
A snapshot of Australia's opening match of their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign, against Kuwait.
KUWAIT v AUSTRALIA 2022 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
* STATE OF PLAY: Australia won 3-0 with goals from Mathew Leckie (7th and 30th) and Aaron Mooy (38th).
* MAN OF THE MATCH: Aaron Mooy. Created more chances than any other player and was responsible for the set-piece deliveries that led to both of stand-in captain Mathew Leckie goals. He kept the midfielder ticking over with understudy James Jeggo and was rewarded for his efforts when he brilliantly curled a strike into the top-right corner for his first international goal in three-and-a-half years.
* STAT OF THE DAY: Australia have now beaten Kuwait by three goals or more in their past three meeting.
* KEY MOMENT: Aaron Mooy's long-range strike seemed to put the result beyond doubt and put a smile on the 28-year-old face after a tough period on the bench at his new Premier League club, Brighton & Hove Albion.
* QUOTE OF THE DAY: "It might have something to do with the weather." Australia coach Graham Arnold explaining his side's dip in the first 15 minutes of the second half.