Asian Cup final: Ange Postecoglou never doubted Socceroos as decider went into extra time
ANGE Postecoglou said he never lost faith in his side, despite South Korea temporarily looking like spoiling the Socceroos’ Asian Cup party in the final.
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“YOU cop a goal in extra time and that would break most teams, but we got ourselves off the floor.”
Ange Postecoglou had a feeling there would be a twist in the tale, but he knew his players would be able to rise to the occasion.
The Socceroos coach admitted relief was his overwhelming emotion following Australia’s dramatic Asian Cup triumph over South Korea, in which they had to dig deep defensively to hang on to their lead.
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He told his players just before extra time that they would have to work if they wanted to achieve something special.
“We knew we had it in us in extra time,” he said.
“To be champions you’ve got to display a whole range of characteristics and qualities. Today it was about courage and belief in what we were doing. The players had that in abundance.
“When you want to achieve something special you’ve got to work for it. It doesn’t come too easily. Anyone who knows me and my history with grand finals, I knew there was a twist in the tale somewhere. We got tested. When they scored in the 90th minute I could feel the whole stadium lose its breath for the moment. But I knew we were going to be strong and we knew we probably had them on fitness.”
Postecoglou took exception to a question that suggested the game might not have been a beautiful one.
“The beauty is in the eye of the holder, because I thought it was a beautiful game - it’s what football is all about,” he said.
“It’s a final, it’s two teams giving everything they’ve got because they know what’s on the line. No team took a backwards step. I don’t think any Aussie will get much sleep tonight.”
The Socceroos played an attacking brand of football throughout the tournament, which Postecoglou hopes the Australian public has embraced.
And he has promised to continue with the same intensity.
“We want to go to the next World Cup to make an impact, not just be there.”
Robbie Kruse appeared in crutches after the game, but Postecoglou said it was too early to determine the extent of the injury, while he confirmed Tim Cahill received a knock during the first half, which was why he was pulled off in the 64th minute.
Originally published as Asian Cup final: Ange Postecoglou never doubted Socceroos as decider went into extra time
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