Asian Cup 2015: relive the goals as the Socceroos concede early but then flourisgh in opener

IT all began nervously but finished with a flourish. The Socceroos got their Asian Cup campaign off to a great start. See what the players said about the goals.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 09: Mile Jedinak of the Socceroos is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal during the 2015 Asian Cup match between the Australian Socceroos and Kuwait at AAMI Park on January 9, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

IT all began so nervously.

Kuwait put the Socceroos on the back foot by scoring in the eighth minute.

Groans were heard all around AAMI Park.

But by the 33rd minute the momentum had changed and Ange Postecoglou’s men were on their way to a famous victory.

And there is no better way to guage the changing fortunes of the game than the players’ reactions after each goals.

Here, the Socceroos speak out.

0-1 - Ali Hussain Fadhel (Kuwait) – 8th minute

“I was frustrated because maybe I could’ve cut that off when one of the boys lost their man. It was touch and go whether I could get there because he put his head down low where I swung my foot.’’

- Tim Cahill on Hussain’s header

1-1 – Tim Cahill (Australia) – 33rd minute

“We wanted to play a quick tempo, including throw ins, so I sprinted to the ball and Mass made a great run and I played him. He did some razzle-dazzle and cut it to Timmy who scored.’’

- Ivan Franjic on his quick throw-in to Massimo Luongo

2-1 – Massimo Luongo (Australia) – 45th minute

“Probably (it was meant for Cahill), most of our crosses are for Tim but I knew Ivan was going to cross it. Timmy pulled off far post and like a typical training session, one goes far, one goes near and I’ve done that. I was delighted.’’

- Luongo on reading Franjic’s cross

3-1 – Mile Jedinak (Australia) – 62nd minute PEN

“Ivan cut it back to me, I was gona hit it first time and saw the defender coming and I tried to bait him into it and he did and got me on the foot. It was important for us, it was 2-1 and a critical stage of the game.’’

- Robbie Kruse on winning the penalty

4-1 – James Troisi (Australia) – 92nd minute

“I was pretty close to (Matthew) Leckie, the ball fell, I pounced on it, had a swing and put the ball in the back in the net. It’s great to be scoring at this stadium again. I think we made a big statement.’’

- Troisi on his stoppage time icing.

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: relive the goals as the Socceroos concede early but then flourisgh in opener