MELBOURNE (AFP) - Hosts Australia showed impressive firepower to beat Kuwait 4-1 in their Asian Cup opener on Friday.

After Tim Cahill equalised for Australia following an early setback of a Kuwait goal, Massimo Luongo, Mile Jedinak and James Troisi also found their target for the Socceroos, who could have scored six or seven and were serenaded with a chorus of "Oles" by a sell-out crowd of 30,000 in Melbourne.

Kuwait had stunned Australia with a goal from Hussain Fadhel after just eight minutes, the big defender stooping to head in a corner and silence the home fans. But Cahill relieved the tension on a wet and chilly evening by slamming home the equaliser in the 33rd minute after smart work down the right from Luongo.

Luongo put Australia in front moments before half-time with a superb header to give the home side a huge boost going into the break. Skipper Jedinak stroked home a penalty in the 62nd minute, giving the Socceroos a two-goal cushion as they continued to press, playing with a verve that was sorely missing as they managed just a single win in 11 matches last year.

Troisi poked home a fourth in stoppage time to cap a dominating performance by Ange Postecoglou's side.

Australia, runners-up to Japan four years ago, are also drawn alongside Oman and 2002 World Cup semi-finalists South Korea in Group A as they bid to win their first Asian Cup with a new-look side, after golden generation failed to win a major title.