Kennedy scored Australia's first two goals in the win over the All Whites in Adelaide, with a cool finish on nine minutes before a header from a corner on the hour mark.

After a number of injuries the Nagoya Grampus striker was making his first appearance for the Socceroos since October's 1-0 win over Paraguay and he told Fox Sports it was great to be back.

“It's great to come home. It was my first game back for a long time so to bag a couple is a good feeling,” Kennedy said.

“Obviously the keeper had a heavy touch (for the first goal) and I was there to pounce on it. I did well to get it in the goal.

“The boys say I love a header so it was only normally I'd score one like that.”

Kennedy played up front alongside Brett Holman and the pair proved threatening throughout.

“Brett is always dangerous and makes penetrating runs in behind the defence. It's definitely something I could get used to. Who knows, we could create a good partnership together,” Kennedy said.

Socceroos skipper for the day Brett Emerton was impressed by a number of younger players, such as Michael Zullo and Matt Spiranovic, who he said showed Australia had no shortage of depth.

“I thought the young boys put in a very good professional performance and did everything that was asked of them. In the end it was a pleasing result,” Emerton said.

“Since Holger has taken over he's really given the opportunity to younger players and they've really stepped up and impressed.

“Hopefully that's a sign of things to come for this national team because we need some young guys to come through.”

Central defender Jon McKain was given the captain's armband for the second-half and said it was a solid night defensively for the Socceroos.

“I don't think it was too bad tonight. They had a couple of chances, but they're a big physical direct side so they'll cause a few teams problems,” McKain said.

“I thought we did quite well. It was difficult conditions for both sides. We're happy with the result.

McKain added: “I thought the movement was good, particularly in the first-half, we caused a few problems. The boys who came on did well.

“Hopefully we can have a good crowd in Melbourne and put on a good show.”

Goalkeeper Nathan Coe kept a clean sheet in just his second appearance, and first full game, for Australia.

“It's fantastic. I didn't have that much to do. But it was great to play and always nice to get a clean sheet,” Coe said.

Adelaide product James Troisi scored the late penalty after an impressive performance in his first international appearance for three years.

“It was a great feeling,” Troisi said about his hometown goal. “I'm happy to be back involved.”