Head coach Graham Arnold announced Australia’s squad for October’s international window on Friday, with important fixtures against Nepal in the nation’s capital (October 10) and Chinese Taipei in Kaohsiung (October 15) on the horizon.

Kuwait had opened their campaign with a 7-0 win over Nepal but a first half blitz saw Australia walk away with a comfortable win to kick off their bid to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

It was Australia's first competitive match since their defence of the AFC Asian Cup title ended in the quarter-finals at UAE 2019 and head coach Graham Arnold was satisfied with his team's performance.

Kuwait came into the game on a high following their 7-0 humbling of Nepal at the same ground five days earlier, but Romeo Jozak’s men were brought back down to earth quickly as the visitors got off to a flying start.

Seven minutes were all that Australia needed to move in front through Mathew Leckie. The Kuwaiti defence failed to deal with an Aaron Mooy in-swinging corner and Jackson Irvine fumbled his shot on the rebound, but the ball found its way to Leckie who stabbed it home from inside the six-yard box.

Khalil, the 2015 AFC Asian Player of the Year, missed the UAE’s 2-1 triumph over Malaysia in their Group G opener and his return gives Bert van Marwjik’s side a much needed boost.

Vahyt Oraszahedov retains his place in the travelling party for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualifying tie following a purple patch with Kyrgyz Republic champions FC Dordoi, while Altyn Asyr FC youngster Mihail Titov has earned a calli-up after showing strong form in Turkmenistan’s domestic Yokary Liga.

Nepal suffered a 7-0 defeat to Kuwait in their opening FIFA World Cup Qatar 2020 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualifying match on September 5 but showed tremendous grit just five days later as they rebounded with a 2-0 win over Chinese Taipei.

Son Heung-min leads the Korea squad, who will play Sri Lanka and DPR Korea in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Asian Qualifiers but Jae-ik's inclusion is based on his performance in the FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019.

Korea Republic emerged runners-up after a phenomenal performance and Bento has obviously marked Jae-ik, who plays for Qatar's Al Rayyan, as a future national team stalwart.

"I felt that this was the right time for him to join the senior team and show us what he has. We have a lot of depth in his position (at centre-back). He'll not be guaranteed playing time, but we'll see how competitive he can be against national team veterans," said Bento.