Australia are the 2015 AFC Asian Cup champions after a thrilling 2-1 victory over South Korea. It was a Troisi strike via some inspired work by Western Sydney Wanderer Tomi Juric that put the Socceroos over the top in extra time.
Australia led 1-0 from the 40th minute courtesy of a blistering, textbook goal delivered by an ecstatic Massimo Luongo. South Korea threatened to break hearts across the nation with a 92nd minute equaliser slipping past Socceroos legend Matthew Ryan to carry the game over 90 minutes. It had to happen, otherwise the anxiety-laden fury of extra time wouldn’t have been laid upon us. Fingernails be damned.
South Korea had outplayed the Socceroos for much of the game but failed to capitalise on a number of opportunities in a game that Australia simply was not pre-destined to win: South Korea had played a fearless and flawless Asia Cup this year with zero goals conceded before tonight’s match.
Australia broke through in the first half of extra time following the Troisi finish and held on through a thrilling and bruising final term of extra time for the win.
Watch Luongo’s lightning strike below and bask in the glory of being the champions of Asia.
THEY BLOODY DID IT! Forever on repeat across Australia tonight:
Image by Ryan Pierse for Getty Images
