Monday, 2 February 2015 01:08
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Reuters: Substitute James Troisi scored halfway through extra time in a pulsating final to give tournament hosts Australia their maiden Asian Cup title with a 2-1 victory over South Korea on Saturday.
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, cancelling 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 told reporters.
“Full credit to them, I couldn’t be prouder of them and it’s great for our country.”
Former World Cup semi-finalists South Korea had ridden their mean defence 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.
