Dylan kicks-off with a win

Dylan Tombides' Australia started the AFC U-22 Championship with a 1-0 Group C victory over Kuwait on Sunday.

The West Ham United forward, who was making his first international appearance since the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup, played for 61 minutes for the Olyroos at Royal Police Stadium in Muscat, Oman.

Perth-born Tombides was delighted to contribute to his country's tournament-opening win, which was secured by winger Ryan Kitto's second-half goal. The Hammers player also went close to scoring himself, forcing a diving save from Kuwaiti goalkeeper Sulaiman Abdulghafoor with a first-half header.

The success was all the more poignant for the 19-year-old as he took to the pitch just a few weeks after undergoing chemotherapy treatment. The striker was initially diagnosed with testicular cancer in summer 2011.

Following the game, he tweeted: "Good to be back in the Green and Gold after a long two-and-a-half years. Also pleased to get 60 minutes after having chemo just over three weeks ago."

Tombides has made one first-team appearance for West Ham, appearing as a substitute in the League Cup third-round defeat by Wigan Athletic in September 2012.

The Olyroos - a squad picked with the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio in mind - continue their AFC U-22 Championship campaign by facing Iran on Tuesday and then Japan in their final group match on Thursday.

*West Ham United Academy goalkeeper Sam Howes has been included in the England U17 squad for a friendly double-header with Belgium at St. George's Park at the end of this month.

England will take on the Belgians on Tuesday 28 January and Thursday 30 January in preparation for the UEFA European U17 Championship Elite Round Qualifiers in March. Then, the Young Lions will take on Czech Republic, Albania and Italy in Group 4, with the group winners qualifying for the final tournament in Malta in the summer.