Australia vs South Korea Asian Cup final in Sydney
AFTER a heroic win in last night’s Asian Cup final, Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou believes his side is destined for greater things.
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AUSTRALIA has been crowned the champion of Asia after a thrilling 2-1 win against South Korea in tonight’s Asian Cup final.
James Troisi’s extra time strike proved the difference as the home side delivered a performance a whole nation can be proud of.
“It has to be our biggest achievement, we won a trophy,” former Socceroo John Aloisi said.
Massimo Luongo — who was named player of the tournament — further enhanced his reputation as a man to carry the national team into the post-Tim Cahill era by scoring the opening goal.
South Korea spoiled the party by equalising in second half injury time, but Australia bounced back in extra time.
“I’m no good for words right now, I’m just super proud of everyone ... I couldn’t be happier,” Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou said.
“The courage the players showed tonight was enormous.
“I knew we’d finish stronger. We pride ourselves on being fit ... it was just a matter of taking our chances and we did it.”
Postecoglou was thrilled with what the victory could do for the game in Australia.
“I know the whole country will be off their couches and won’t be able to sleep tonight,” he said.
“Hopefully from now on our Aussies can take on the world.”
The only negative on a banner night for the world game Down Under was what appeared to be another serious injury to Robbie Kruse.
Continue reading for all the highlights of the game.
10.10pm — TROISI GIVES AUSTRALIA THE ADVANTAGE
AUSTRALIA is back in front in tonight’s Asian Cup final after a James Troisi goal late in the first period of extra time.
Tomi Juric was critical in the lead-up, wriggling his way past a South Korean defender on the touchline and crossing the ball into a dangerous area.
Troisi did the rest and now the Socceroos are 15 minutes away from the Asian crown.
Tomi Juric was fouled TWICE but kept his feet, beat the left-back of the tournament and set up the goal that may win the #AsianCupFinal
— Sebastian Hassett (@sebth) January 31, 2015That is the Aussiest, nevergiveuppiest thing I have ever seen #asiancupfinal
— Anthony Sharwood (@antsharwood) January 31, 20159.50pm — SOUTH KOREA FORCE EXTRA TIME
SOUTH Korea has forced the Asian Cup final into extra time with a late equaliser.
Heung-Min Son slotted a goal past Mat Ryan in the first minute of injury time to stun the home crowd.
Australia has 30 minutes to try to win the game. If neither side scores, we’ll head to penalties.
90'+1 GOALLL!!!!!! UNBELIEVABLE! @theKFA equalise through Son Heung-min!! #ACFinal #AC2015 pic.twitter.com/qykM6H8wBQ
— AFC Asian Cup (@afcasiancup) January 31, 2015FAAARRRRRRKKKKKK!!!!!!!! #ACFinal
— Kurt Fearnley (@kurtfearnley) January 31, 20159.25pm — KRUSE SIDELINED WITH INJURY
ROBBIE Kruse has been forced off the ground with what appears to be another serious lower leg injury.
The unlucky forward, who missed last year’s World Cup after tearing his ACL, collapsed in the 68th minute and despite a valiant attempt was unable to continue.
James Troisi has been subbed in as his replacement.
That's heartbreaking. Robbie Kruse in tears....
— Ray Gatt (@Gatty54) January 31, 20159.20pm — SOCCEROOS HOLDING FIRM
AUSTRALIA is less than 30 minutes away from being crowned champion of Asia.
The Socceroos defence continues to deny South Korea and create the odd chance at the other end.
Ange Postecoglou has just made his first substitution, replacing Tim Cahill with Tomi Juric.
Cahill took his only opportunity of the game well but was unable to impact the scoreboard like he has so many times before.
8.50pm — LUONGO’S STAR RISES FURTHER
YOU can argue they don’t deserve it but the reality is Australia leads 1-0 at half-time of tonight’s Asian Cup final.
South Korea certainly had the better of the first half and came close several times just before the break.
But Trent Sainsbury found Massimo Luongo with a neat through ball in the 45th minute — and the rising star from Swindon Town did the rest.
Luongo took the ball and turned before firing home into the South Korean net to send the Stadium Australia crowd crazy.
Good luck keeping a lid on ‘Mass Hysteria’ now!
Yyyyeeeeeerresssssssddssss!!!! Massimo!!!!!!!!
— Craig Foster (@Craig_Foster) January 31, 2015Write your own cheque Massimo Luongo, you're a freaking superstar!!! #AsianCupFinal #GoSocceroos #LounGoSocceroos
— PETER HELLIAR (@pjhelliar) January 31, 2015Good goal. #threadedtheneedle #AsianCupFinal
— Dave Hughes (@DHughesy) January 31, 20158.10pm — JEDINAK ALMOST BENDS IT HOME
SOCCEROOS skipper Mile Jedinak showed his ability at set pieces by almost bending home a free kick in the ninth minute of tonight’s Asian Cup final.
Nice lead-up work by Massimo Luongo and Mathew Leckie resulted in a free kick to Mark Milligan just outside the 18-yard box.
Jedinak curled his shot over the wall but saw it sail just high of the goal.
Australia has started well, all though Ivan Franjic has already picked up a yellow card for pulling the shirt of an opponent.
7.40pm — SOCCEROOS HAVE NO FEAR
ANGE Postecoglou stressed his players won’t be overcome by the pressure of tonight’s Asian Cup final in his pre-game interview.
“This team’s shown no fear all tournament. They haven’t taken a backward step and they won’t tonight,” Postecoglou said.
The Socceroos coach insisted Ivan Franjic had overcome a hip issue.
“Ivan’s fine. From our perspective everyone has a clean bill of health and we’ll have a strong 11 out there,” he said.
The final pits Australia’s free-wheeling attack against the defensive solidarity of the South Koreans.
The Socceroos have scored 12 goals in five games while South Korea is yet to concede one.
Good luck to Mile Jedinak and the @Socceroos in the AFC Asian Cup final this morning against South Korea, which kicks off in 10 minutes.
— Crystal Palace FC (@CPFC) January 31, 2015PATH TO THE FINAL
Australia
Group stage: 4-1 win against Kuwait, 4-0 win against Oman, 1-0 defeat against South Korea
Quarter-final: 2-0 win against China, Semi-final: 2-0 win against UAE
South Korea
Group stage: 1-0 win against Oman, 1-0 win against Kuwait, 1-0 win against Australia
Quarter-final: 2-0 win against Uzbekistan, Semi-final 2-0 win against Iraq
It's gonna be a cracker tonight with @chr1s_cahill pic.twitter.com/De4xAiCh3M
— Chris Gayle (@henrygayle) January 31, 20157pm — NO SURPRISES FOR SOCCEROOS
IVAN Franjic has proven his fitness and will start in an unchanged Socceroos line-up for tonight’s Asian Cup final against South Korea.
Ange Postecoglou has kept the faith with the 11 which did the job against UAE in the semi-final.
It’s the first time the team has remained unchanged in the tournament.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” Socceroos great John Kosmina said.
Start list: @Socceroos #AC2015 #ACFinal pic.twitter.com/ThrmaZY4Yq
— AFC Asian Cup (@afcasiancup) January 31, 2015There are two changes from the Australian team which started against South Korea in the group stage.
Mile Jedinak was unavailable for that game because of injury, while Jason Davidson has replaced Aziz Behich at left full back.
Originally published as Australia vs South Korea Asian Cup final in Sydney
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