Massimo Luongo and James Troisi have crowned
Australia as the kings of Asian soccer in an historic 2-1 triumph against South
Korea.
Both scored as the Socceroos downed the Koreans
in an extra-time Asian Cup final thriller at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Saturday
night. A sharp turn and 25-yard shot from Swindon's Massimo
Luongo put the hosts in front shortly before half-time.
They started nervously, engaging South Korea in
a real scrap while pretty football was hard to play. But despite South Korea
taking the ascendancy in the play, it was Australia who led through Massimo
Luongo's brilliant goal just before half time. It looked like that would be
enough, but South Korea refused to throw it away. Son Heung-min, so brilliant
today and all tournament, scored with 90 seconds left in regulation time to
silence the crowd and send us to extra time.
But Australia settled, and the rallied. Through
hold-up play that any big striker would be proud of, young Tomi Juric started
the move that would lead to James Troisi scoring the biggest goal of his life.
It was the Asian Cup's winning goal, and one that will live long in Australian
football.
The Socceroos claimed their first major men's
soccer title amid high drama. They now hold clutch the Asian Cup and
A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers the Asian Champions League trophy - the
first time any nation has held both at the same time.
No comments:
Post a Comment