Football: Australia opens Asia Cup campaign with big win

Australia's Tim Cahill celebrates after scoring against Kuwait. Photo / Getty Images

It was the most emphatic scoreline of Ange Postecoglou's tenure with the Socceroos but Tim Cahill says they are capable of far more.

The 4-1 win over Kuwait on the opening night of the Asian Cup was fitting reward for attacking play.

Goals to Cahill, Massimo Luongo, Mile Jedinak and James Troisi more than erased the suprise opener to Kuwaiti defender Hussain Fadhel.

The veteran of 78 caps said while the result was pleasing, the performance didn't compare to earlier matches of Postecoglou's reign.

"I think we've played way better than that and not been rewarded," Cahill said.

"I wouldn't say it was our best performance.

"We've played so many games and lost and our football's been amazing."

Cahill's comments were a tacit endorsement of Postecoglou's strategy to test his young side with tough matches in the lead-up to the Cup, rather than seek easy wins.

But the biggest win in Australia's year in the most important game of Postecoglou's time at the helm doesn't mean the job is done.

"It's a great start to a big tournament... (but) we won't get carried away," Cahill said.

"We're going to go away and look at the goal (conceded), look at how we can play better."

Cahill said it was the performance of Luongo in just his sixth game for the Socceroos that was most pleasing.

The 22-year-old's hunger to bring his team back into the contest had not escaped Cahill, particularly after the early setback.

"Down 0-1, (Luongo was) wanting the ball, brave, standing up in the big occasions," he said.

"The way he was dribbling with the ball, holding it, holding off players.

"I'm really proud of Mass for scoring and creating the goal."

-AAP