Aussies kick-off Asian Cup campaign on Friday

Hosts looking to dethrone Japan, take on Kuwait first

MELBOURNE: Australia will launch their attempt to reach new heights in football by toppling champions Japan and winning their first ever Asian Cup trophy when they kick off the tournament on Friday.

A sell-out crowd is expected at the 30,000-capacity Melbourne Rectangular Stadium as Ange Postecoglou's men take on Kuwait on day one of the 16-nation extravaganza.

An eventual victory for Australia would put the country on top at both club and international level after Western Sydney Wanderers won the AFC Champions League in November.

And it would provide a further boost for football among the Australian public, which traditionally prefers the rugby codes, Australian rules and cricket.

Australia coach said his players were itching to get started on what could be a defining campaign for football in Australia. "To be honest, the boys can't wait for Friday night," said Postecoglou. "We've been on the road for 12 months and to walk out to a sell-out crowd on Friday night, it's going to make the boys feel a couple of feet taller. I can't wait to get the match started."

 

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