Australia has been crowned champion of Asia after a thrilling 2-1 win against South Korea in Asian Cup final at Stadium Australia Saturday (January 31).
James Troisi’s goal in the 105th minute, the end of the first period of extra-time, gave Australia their first-ever senior Asian men’s title.
Massimo Luongo had put the Socceroos in front in the 44th minute. Bayer Leverkusen winger Son Heung-min scored for South Korea to spoil the party and equalized the match in second half injury time, however, Australia bounced back in extra time.
According to AFC Asian Cup website, played in front of a sell-out crowd of 76,385, the Australians secured their first AFC Asian Cup since joining the Asian Football Confederation in 2006 and four years after losing in the final to a late extra-time winner against Japan.
Korea’s wait for a third AFC Asian Cup goes on, meanwhile, as Uli Stielike’s team were unable to break the 55-year hoodoo in the country’s first appearance in the final since 1988.
On Friday, the United Arab Emirates had claimed third place after edging out former champions Iraq 3-2 in a thrilling contest at Newcastle Stadium.
