WATCH: Australia U23's account for Kuwait in AFC U23 Asian Cup 2022 opener
Australia has commenced its AFC U23 Asian Cup 2022 campaign with a 2-0 win over Kuwait in Qarshi, Uzbekistan.
Watch the match's key moments in the player above.
Louis D'Arrigo and Jay Rich-Baghuelou both found the back of the net with well-struck efforts, as a goal in each half sealed three points for Trevor Morgan's side.
Australia started on the front foot at Markaziy Stadium, going close inside three minutes as Ramy Najjarine and Cameron Peupion were both denied by the woodwork.
Lachlan Brook was the next to forge a sight on goal, however the winger's poked shot was palmed to safety.
On the 26 minute mark, Australia's pressure paid off. A close-range tap Alou Kuol was saved well, with the rebound falling to D'Arrigo, who curled home a wonderful left-footed strike from the edge of the area.
The U23's picked up exactly where they left off in early in the second half, as Peupion unleashed a powerful volley that was deflected off target.
In the 54th minute, Australia made it two thanks to their towering centre-half Rich-Baghuelou.
The Accrington Stanley defender, who is the only remaining member from the Olyroos squad at Tokyo 2020, found himself in the right place at the right time after some strong work from fullback Lewis Miller, cannoning home a powerful half-volley.
Australia closed out the match in comfortable fashion, with Josh Nisbet and Kusini Yengi both introduced off the bench for their first youth international appearances.
Patrick Wood, Bernardo and Patrick Yazbek also featured as the score remained 2-0 at the final whistle.
"We were happy with a lot of things we did in the game, it was a difficult match because Kuwait have some clever players that could be dangerous," said Interim Head Coach Trevor Morgan post-game.
Overall I'm very happy, what is important is how we keep improving. Of course the confidence from the result gives you a platform, but we need to know specifically what we have to do better to win these next two matches.
Iraq and Jordan played out a 1-1 draw in the evening's later kick-off, meaning Australia sit on top of Group B ahead of matchday two on Saturday.
To get to know the squad and find out more about how preparations have progressed, check out the 'Inside Camp with the 23's' series.
Date: Wednesday, 1 May 2022
Venue: Markaziy Stadium, Qarshi
Kick-off: 6:00pm (local), 11:00pm (AEST)
Broadcast: Live and Exclusive on Paramount+
Australia Line up: 1. Joe GAUCI (GK), 2. Lewis MILLER, 3. Jay RICH-BAGHUELOU, 6. Tyrese FRANCOIS © (8. Patrick Yazbek 83'), 7. Lachlan BROOK (11. Kusini YENGI 66'), 9. Alou KUOL (19. Patrick WOOD 75'), 10. Ramy NAJJARINE, 15. Hosine BILITY, 16. Louis D'ARRIGO (14. Joshua NISBET 66'), 17. Cameron PEUPION (21. Bernardo 75'), 23. Jacob FARRELL
Subs not used: 4. Jordan COURTNEY-PERKINS, 5. Jordan BOS, 12. Jacob CHAPMAN (GK), 13. Kai TREWIN, 18. Nicholas BILOKAPIC, 20. Joshua RAWLINS, 22. Tristan HAMMOND
Yellow Card: Rich-Baghuelou 57'
Red Card: Nil
Australia U23 Squad | AFC U23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2022
|
Name |
Club, Country |
Junior Club |
|
Hosine BILITY |
Fram Reykjavik, Iceland |
Croydon Kings FC (Football South Australia) |
|
Nicholas BILOKAPIC (Gk) |
Hartlepool United, England |
Sydney United 58 FC (Football NSW) |
|
Jordan BOS |
Melbourne City FC, Australia |
Hoppers Crossing SC (Football Victoria) |
|
Lachlan BROOK |
Adelaide United FC, Australia |
Gawler Eagles FC (Football South Australia) |
|
Jacob CHAPMAN (Gk) |
Huddersfield Town AFC, England |
Epping Eastwood Tigers FC (Football NSW) |
|
Jordan COURTNEY-PERKINS |
Rakow Czestochowa, Poland |
Newmarket SFC (Football Queensland) |
|
Louis D’ARRIGO |
Adelaide United FC, Australia |
West Torrens Birkalla SC (Football South Australia) |
|
Jacob FARRELL |
Central Coast Mariners FC, Australia |
Wyoming FC (Football NSW) |
|
Tyrese FRANCOIS (C) |
Fulham FC, England |
Campbelltown Uniting Church SC (Football NSW) |
|
Joe GAUCI (Gk) |
Adelaide United FC, Australia |
Cumberland United FC (Football South Australia) |
|
Tristan HAMMOND |
FK Austria Wien II, Austria |
Fairfield Hotspurs SC (Football NSW) |
|
Alou KUOL |
SV Sandhausen, Germany |
Shepparton SC (Football Victoria) |
|
Lewis MILLER |
Central Coast Mariners FC, Australia |
Pittwater RSL FC (Football NSW) |
|
Ramy NAJJARINE |
Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia |
Mounties Wanderers FC (Football NSW) |
|
Joshua NISBET |
Central Coast Mariners FC, Australia |
St Marys FC (Football NSW) |
|
Bernardo Oliveira (BERNARDO) |
Adelaide United FC, Australia |
Port Adelaide Pirates SC (Football SA) |
|
Cameron PEUPION |
Brighton Hove & Albion FC, England |
Wakehurst FC (Football NSW) |
|
Joshua RAWLINS |
Perth Glory FC, Australia |
Dianella SC (Football West) |
|
Jay RICH-BAGHUELOU |
Accrington Stanley FC, England |
Palm Beach SC (Football Queensland) |
|
Kai TREWIN |
Brisbane Roar FC, Australia |
Gungahlin United FC (Capital Football) |
|
Patrick WOOD |
Sydney FC, Australia |
Collaroy Cromer Strikers FC (Football NSW) |
|
Patrick YAZBEK |
Sydney FC, Australia |
Austral Soccer Club (Football NSW) |
| Kusini YENGI | Adelaide United, Australia | Fulham United FC (Football South Australia) |
Match Schedule | Australia U23 | AFC U23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2022
Matchday 2: Iraq U23 v Australia U23
Date: Saturday, 4 June 2022
Venue: Markaziy Stadium, Qarshi, Uzbekistan
Kick-off: 6pm (local); 11pm (AEST)
Broadcast: Live in Australia on Paramount+
Matchday 3: Australia U23 v Jordan U23
Date: Tuesday, 7 June 2022
Venue: Lokomotiv Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Kick-off: 6pm (local); 11pm (AEST)
Broadcast: Live in Australia on Paramount+