Asian Cup: Australia wins first title with 2-1 extra-time win over South Korea thanks to James Troisi and Massimo Luongo goals

Updated

Australia won its first ever Asian Cup title with a nervy and dramatic 2-1 extra-time win over South Korea at Stadium Australia in Sydney.

James Troisi etched his name in Australian football history with the winner late in extra-time, lashing home from close range after superb work on the byline from Tomi Juric.

The Western Sydney Wanderers striker held up the ball remarkably before nutmegging his marker, before putting the ball on a plate for Troisi to finish.

Rising star Massimo Luongo had put Australia ahead in the first half of regular time with a sizzling finish, receiving a good pass from Trent Sainsbury before turning 180 degrees to skin his marker before unleashing an unstoppable drive to beat Kim Jim Hyeon.

But South Korea, which edged the game on the balance of play, finally got a deserved equaliser when star midfielder Son Heung-min scored in the dying seconds of the second-half to send the match to extra time, after a physical, end-to-end encounter.

The crowd was deflated by Son's goal heading into extra time, but Troisi's strike late in the first half of extra time changed the mood entirely as the sell-out crowd erupted as the hosts found themselves back in the lead.

"I'm no good for words right now. I'm just really just super proud of everyone," an emotional Ange Postecoglou said.

"The players, the staff, the whole organisation, and I couldn't be happier, mate. It was tough, it was a final and you've got to grind it out.

"The courage of players showed tonight, it was enormous."

I couldn't be happier, mate. It was tough, it was a final and you've got to grind it out. The courage of players showed tonight, it was enormous. Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou

For much of the match, South Korea looked to have the edge with Son and Ki Sung-yeung creating a host of chances throughout the match, and for much of extra-time.

But Australia composed itself in extra-time, taking the ascendancy in the first 15 minutes in the lead up to Troisi's winner.

The Socceroos did what was required towards the match's end as they played keep ball in the corner, before the referee's whistle signalled one of the greatest footballing results in the country's history.

Socceroos take lead through Luongo screamer

The Socceroos were at times on the ropes in a high-octane first half where both sides traded glorious chances to take the lead.

Star man Son found himself winded after copping a Jedinak arm to the throat just three minutes into the match, which saw the Australian captain scribbled into the referee's book.

Match stats KOR v AUS 3 Shots on target 4 16 Shots off target 12 47% Possession 53% 3 Corners 2 8 Offsides 4 20 Fouls 26

Right-back Ivan Franjic also saw yellow for a foul in the Australian area in a physical contest.

A fast counter-attack saw Australia win a free-kick 30 yards out, which Jedinak nearly profited on, with his curling side-footer scraping the roof of the net.

South Korea responded through a Ki free-kick from the left flank, which found the head of Kwak Tae-hwi who nodded wide.

Australia countered, with Robbie Kruse threading an excellent pass to Tim Cahill in the box, who rifled in a right-footed shot to produce an excellent save from Kim Jin-hyeon.

The Koreans then missed two chances in rapid succession as Son volleyed over the bar following excellent work on the left flank from Ki Sung-yeung.

Barely a minute later, right-back Cha Du-ri charged towards the byline before putting it on a place for Son, who saw his shot deflected over the bar.

Jason Davidson was booked for several shirt tugs on Jang Hyun-soo's shirt just outside the box, but Ki's free-kick was weak and easily saved by Mat Ryan.

Australia, on the ropes and under pressure, then found itself ahead right before the half-time whistle as Luongo's shot exploded past Kim to send the Sydney crowd into raptures.

Heartbreak for Kruse as Son levels it late

Despite Luongo's goal, South Korea continued in a dominant fashion to start the second half, as defender Kwak headed straight to Australian goalkeeper Ryan from a free kick.

Australia's best chance of the second stanza came soon after, however, as Leckie broke into space to smash a left-footed shot towards the near post, only for Kim to crucially tip over.

Kruse tried to burst through space and beat his man, but went down too easily as the ref ruled there was no foul on the Australian forward as the Socceroos' attack fizzled out.

But Kruse was on the ground again just a minute later with what looked to be a recurrence of his knee ligament injury. Bizarrely, 63 minutes into the match, he was yellow-carded for time-wasting as the Australian physios treated the midfielder.

The match would end there for Kruse as the shattered player was stretchered off, to be replaced by James Troisi.

Franjic also looked to be struggling with a toe injury as he went off for Matt McKay.

Troisi saw his shot deflected and saved by Kim after Leckie broke down the right to put in a good short cross, before a long South Korean throw nearly caught the Australian defence napping before eventually being cleared.

Son and Ki both wasted free-kick opportunities, before Leckie again countered down the flank, only to spoil the attack with a poor touch.

Troisi looked to dance around two of his markers before hitting a left-footed shot wide.

South Korea's equaliser then arrived in the dying seconds of injury time as a brilliant one-two between Son and Ki saw Son glide into the area to smash the ball past Ryan to send the match into extra-time.

Topics: socceroos, sport, soccer, sydney-2000, nsw, australia, korea-republic-of

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