The Futsalroos have been knocked out in the quarter finals of the AFC Futsal Championships after going down 5-2 to Kuwait.
Ho Chi Minh City: Captain Hamad Hayat and Abdulrahman Al Wadi each scored twice as Kuwait booked a place in the semi-finals of the AFC Futsal Championship with a 5-2 win over Australia on Wednesday.
Abdulrahman Al Taweel also scored in the second half for Kuwait, who lost to Australia 3-2 at the same stage two years ago in the United Arab Emirates, following a goalless first half at Phu Tho Stadium.
Tobias Seeto and Jarrod Basger did score for Australia in the second half, although they proved to be only consolations for the Futsalroos.
With a place in the semi-finals at stake, the evenly-matched contest got off to a cagey start although Mohammad Al Dousari did strike the foot of Australia-s post after seven minutes.
Dean Lockhart was presented with Australia-s best chance of the first half three minutes before half-time, but after being found by Greg Giovenali-s long ball, he fired straight at Kuwait goalkeeper Hani Mhisen.
But Kuwait finally found a breakthrough just seven seconds in the second half as Al Wadi found Hayat and the captain guided his shot past Australia goalkeeper Peter Spathis via the upright.
Australia coach Steven Knight eventually responded by replacing Spathis with an extra outfield player when his side were in possession.
But Kuwait doubled their lead in the 26th minute when Al Wadi chested the ball down for Al Taweel to volley home his seventh goal of the tournament.
And after Basger wasted a chance to pull a goal back less than a minute later, Al Wadi further extended Kuwait-s lead in the 31st minute when he stabbed the ball through a crowded penalty area and into the bottom corner.
Hayat then added his second of the game a minute later after squeezing the ball under the body of an out-rushing Spathis.
Seeto was able to get a goal back for Australia with seven minutes remaining, but with the Futsalroos pushing for more goals, Al Wadi struck into an empty net on the counterattack.
Basger-s shot from a tight angle with two minutes remaining gave Australia another glimmer of hope, but Kuwait saw out the final minutes to seal their place in the semi-finals.