Socceroos v South Korea: five key moments as Australia lose 1-0 to South Korea in Brisbane

VIDEO: Australia weren’t without chances, but in the end, South Korea’s one goal was enough to win. Here are the five moments that mattered.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 17: Robbie Kruse of Australia reacts after missing a shot at goal during the 2015 Asian Cup match between Australia and Korea Republic at Suncorp Stadium on January 17, 2015 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

THE SOCCEROOS will finish second in Group A after going down 1-0 to South Korea in Brisbane.

The lone first-half goal split the sides, but here are the five key moments in the contest.

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THE WINNING GOAL

South Korea’s 32nd minute goal ensured an absorbing contest became a thrilling one. Lee Keun Ho’s low cross was pinpoint and Lee Jeonghyep’s sliding finish ensured the Socceroos would have to deal with scoreboard pressure if they were to top their group.

SIDE NETTING

2. James Troisi’s “Claytons goal” in the 36th minute was one for the highlight reel. Slippery midfielder Massimo Luongo cut loose and ran 40 metres before threading a pass to Troisi who beat a defender but could only drill his left-foot shot into the side netting.

TEMPERS BOIL

3. The 56th minute skirmish between Aziz Behich and Korean pair Kim Changsoo and Han Kyo Won injected some heat into the battle and brought the crowd into the contest.

Frustrations boiled over in a tense encounter.

COSTLY CARD

4. Matthew Spiranovic’s second half yellow card, his second booking for the tournament, could haunt the Australians as it takes a key defender out of the mix for their quarter-final.

Matthew Spiranovic will miss the next match.

CLUTCH SAVE

5. Robbie Kruse ghosted into several threatening opportunities in his busy 20 minutes on the park and was unlucky to be denied by a brilliant save from South Korean keeper Kim Jin Hyeon in the last minute of regular time. It was a chance gone begging.

Originally published as Socceroos v South Korea: five key moments as Australia lose 1-0 to South Korea in Brisbane