Australia hoists maiden Asian Cup trophy
Print Edition
SUBSTITUTE James Troisi scored halfway through extra time in a pulsating final to give tournament hosts Australia its first Asian Cup title with a 2-1 victory over South Korea yesterday.
South Korea’s Son Heung-min scored in stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes to send the match into the extra half an hour, canceling out Player of the Tournament Massimo Luongo’s strike on the stroke of halftime.
It was just before another break with 105 minutes on the clock that striker Troisi put the ball into the net from close range to make Australia champions of Asia nine years after they had switched from the Oceania confederation.
“To concede a goal in the last minute really tested us as a group and the players stood up once again,” coach Ange Postecoglou said.
“Full credit to them, I couldn’t be prouder of them and it’s great for our country.”
Former World Cup semifinalists South Korea had ridden their mean defense to a first Asian Cup final since 1988 but despite being the better side for much of the match came up short in their bid for a first title in 55 years.
Luongo’s goal was the first they had conceded in the tournament and for most of the second half it looked the goal-shyness which characterized the start of their campaign had returned to haunt them.
With regulation time running out, though, substitute Han Kook Young dispossessed Trent Sainsbury on the edge of the box and Lee Jeong-hyeop fed the ball to Son who angled it into the net with his left foot under the challenge of two defenders.
“We don’t have the Cup but the way we played today we are also champions,” said South Korea’s coach Uli Stielike.
“I think the best result from such a match would have been a draw and we take the Cup for two years each, but I know it can’t be like this.
“Korea, you can be proud of your boys.”
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