SYDNEY: Substitute James Troisi smashed home a dramatic extra-time winner as Australia beat South Korea 2-1 to win their first Asian Cup title in an electrifying final on Saturday.
Troisi broke Korean hearts with the very last kick in the first extra period after Son Heung-Min had snatched a magical injury-time equaliser at the end of normal time.
Australia´s triumph gave them
By AFP
January 31, 2015
SYDNEY: Substitute James Troisi smashed home a dramatic extra-time winner as Australia beat South Korea 2-1 to win their first Asian Cup title in an electrifying final on Saturday.
Troisi broke Korean hearts with the very last kick in the first extra period after Son Heung-Min had snatched a magical injury-time equaliser at the end of normal time.
Australia´s triumph gave them a first title since defecting from Oceania nine years ago, while South Korea´s anguish continued after they failed to break a hoodoo in the tournament stretching back to 1960.
"It was a super effort from everyone," said Australia coach Ange Postecoglou. "It was a final, it never goes to script. It was tough, you´ve got to grind it out and the courage the players showed tonight was enormous." "I knew we´d finish stronger," he added, before shaking the hands of the devastated Korean players.
"We pride ourselves on being very fit and it was just a matter of taking our chance. I´m super-proud of them. Hopefully from now on, us Aussies can take on the world because I have a real belief in these guys."
Australia´s historical triumph vindicated Postecoglou´s decision to overhaul the team after its "golden generation" passed their prime.
It could also further antagonise countries said to be behind a movement to oust Australia from the Asian confederation after shock revelations in the build-up to the final.
The Socceroos, runners-up to Japan in 2011, had been on the brink of victory thanks to a ferocious strike from Massimo Luongo on the stroke of half-time, which triggered wild celebrations from the waves of fans in green and gold in a crowd of 76,000.
But South Korea´s superstar Son produced a moment of sheer brilliance in injury time, bursting through to fire past goalkeeper Mathew Ryan after a clever flick from captain Ki Sung-Yueng.
Australia, the Asian Cup´s top scorers with 14 goals, were forced to dig deep in a reversal of the group meeting between the two sides earlier in the tournament, which was dominated by Australia but won 1-0 by the Koreans. (AFP)
