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The Socceroos won a first major trophy in their 93-year history with a hard-fought 2-1 win against South Korea on Saturday. All three goals were scored seconds before an interval as the game went into extra-time.
A breathless Asian Cup final lived up to its pre-match billing, and for once it was not veteran striker Tim Cahill grabbing the headlines for Australia.
The 35-year-old's two goals against the United Arab Emirates had hauled his side into the final, but it was a player from the third tier of English football who landed the first punch for the Socceroos on the stroke of half-time.
Showing a deft first touch, Swindon Town midfielder Massimo Luongo collected a through ball from Trent Sainsbury and lashed it into the back of the net from 25 meters.
Luongo's third goal for Australia looked to have won it for the hosts until Bayer Leverkusen striker Son Heung-Min levelled for South Korea in the 91st following a defensive lapse by Sainsbury.
The last-gasp equalizer epitomized the fighting spirit shown all tournament by South Korea. The team managed by former German international Uli Stielike had conceded a goal in winning all of its matches en route to the final.
If it was the slight favorite heading into extra-time, substitute James Troisi had other ideas for Australia. The 26-year-old Juventus midfielder put his side back in front in the 105thminute when firing into an open goal after Tomi Juric had nutmegged Kim Jin-Su and seen his shot parried by South Korea goalkeeperKim Jin-Hyeon.
This time the Socceroos back line held firm until the final whistle.
It was not all joy for the Australia team, though, as Leverkusen forward Robbie Kruse was stretchered off in the second half of normal time with an injury.
Luongo was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, and after playing in front of 76,000 noisy fans in Stadium his next action will be an English third tier game for Swindon against Barnsley on February 7.
pwh (Reuters, AP)
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