The Socceroos have crashed to their first defeat in Asian competition after being humbled 2-0 by lowly Kuwait in an Asian Cup qualifier.

The middle eastern team of amateurs - who had not won in 13 games and were placed 58 spots behind Australia on FIFA's world rankings - scored twice early in the second half to sink an all overseas-based Socceroos outfit featuring seven World Cup squad members.

Goals to Khalaf Al Mutairi and Bader Al Mutwa in the space of five minutes in the second half sealed victory for the home side in stifling 40 degree heat at Kuwait Stadium.

Australia had already qualified for next year's Asian Cup after beating Kuwait 2-0 with a team of A-League players in far more comfortable conditions in Sydney last month.

Kuwait significantly boosted its chances of qualification with the win and, if Australia fail to beat Bahrain in its final qualifier in Sydney on October 11, could yet nab top spot in group D.

The Socceroos, who looked well in charge with the score 0-0 at halftime, were eventually made to pay for a pair of dreadful defensive errors and poor finishing.

Debutant Ryan Griffiths, who came on as a substitute in the 30th minute for injured forward Ahmad Elrich (knee), butchered a seemingly certain goal in the 42nd minute when he hit the upright from two metres.

John Aloisi, who suffered a nasty cut to his cheek midway through the first half, also hit the bar and had two other good chances go wide.

Kuwait, meanwhile, made the most of its chances.

Australia's defenders failed to track Al Mutairi's run into the box in the 55th minute and the dangerous Kuwaiti striker gave goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer no chance in finishing off Jarah Al Ataiqi's fine cross.

Five minutes later, another Socceroos defensive lapse allowed Al Mutwa to fire home from a tight angle after a tidy one-two with substitute Shehab Kankone.

Earlier, Kuwait had a penalty appeal turned away when striker Al Mutairi appeared to have been brought down by goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer in the box in the eighth minute.

Griffiths received a yellow card just two minutes after stepping onto the pitch.

The 25-year-old did add some spark to the Australian attack but will not want to relive his miss late in the first half.

Skipper Josip Skoko fired a perfect ball into the box for Mile Sterjovski, who passed across the face of goal for a charging Griffiths, only for the striker to hit his shot from two metres against the left upright.

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