Australia edges out S. Korea in nail biting Asian Cup final

It was a game where both sides deserved to win but it was Australia which triumphed in extra time 2-1 to win the country's most prestigious football trophy since entering international matches in 1922.

And the coaches - South Korea's Uli Stielike and Australia's Ange Postecoglou - aired expected disappointment and joy when the Asian Cup final finally ended on Saturday evening.

The heart stopping match saw South Korea snatch a draw just 90 seconds from full time at Stadium Australia in Sydney.

Midfield danger man Son Heung-min received a ball from teammates who managed to clear the ball from heavy defensive traffic and give him the opportunity to score a 1-1 equaliser.

A crowd of more than 82,000 people gasped as it seemed Australia had been about to win - but the estimated 20,000 South Korean supporters were delirious as Son leapt advertising hoardings and ran to their grand stand to rejoice.

The South Koreans were relentless in attack and with their defensive force-field, which had not conceded a goal in five pre-final matches.

But Australia was resolute in taking its chances when opportunity knocked.

And it did so against play in the 45th minute when midfielder Massimo Luongo received a counter-attacking long-range pass from defender Trent Sainsbury. Luongo, later named player of the tournament, hammered a rocket-ball straight past South Korea's goalkeeper Kim Jin-hyeon from 20 meters out to put the Australians in front after South Korea had been on top.

The second half opened with physical intensity between both teams and several free kicks were awarded to both teams.

Australia's premiere player Tim Cahill was substituted in the 63rd minute by Tomi Juric.

But disaster struck in the next few minutes when key Australian players Robbie Kruse and Ivan Franjic left the field injured.

The South Koreans launched a series of attacking raids, but the Australians held them out.

Until Son swooped and settled the scores to push the game into extra time.

It opened with teams playing as if the game had just begun, showing energy levels and attacking and defensive intensity belying the fact they had already played more than 90 minutes of regular time.

South Korea's talented goalkeeper Kim punched a near certain Australian goal clear in the 100th minute.

Two minutes later South Korea was all over Australia's defense, only to be thwarted by Australian goalkeeper Mat Ryan who also punched a close shot clear of his goal.

Three minutes later came an extraordinary play which epitomized the way both teams were giving their all.

Australia's substitute Juric was outside South Korea's penalty box near the dead-ball line with the ball at his foot.

Two South Korean defenders launched themselves at him. They tussled, fought and scrapped for the ball for at least five seconds centimeters from the line.

Then Juric managed to clear and flick the ball to a waiting fellow substitute James Troisi in the South Korean penalty box, who scored a goal from in front.

Play went from end to end until the 114th minute, when South Korea showed their never-say-die attitude by again taking control.

The Australians resolutely hurled their bodies at attacking plays, smothering raids with just three minutes to go.

With 15 seconds left on the clock South Korea had one final chance - but the shot missed.

Then the final whistle blew. The Australians leapt for joy as the South Koreans slumped to the pitch.

Australian coach Postecoglou was overjoyed immediately after the match.

"I could not be happier," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation as he watched his celebrating team from the sideline.

"It never goes to script. The courage the players showed tonight was enormous."

He admitted concerns when South Korea scored the last-gasp equaliser to push the match into extra time.

"My only concern was the boys would be that heartbroken that they couldn't pick themselves up," he said. "But I knew they were stronger.

"We pride ourselves on being really fit and working hard. I told them we definitely have half an hour's petrol left in us. And they did. It was a matter of taking our chances, and they did.

"As I said, I am super proud of them."

Australia has been in the football doldrums for several years, but Australian-raised and former national team member Postecoglou hoped the Asian Cup win was a turning point.

"I know the whole country will be off their couches and won't be able to sleep tonight. It's a great game, it's a fantastic game.

"I am biased but I think it's the greatest game in the world, and hopefully from now on us Aussies can take on the world, because I have a real belief in these young guys. Not just this group, I have a real belief in young Aussie footballers."

The Australians were then presented with the Asian Cup trophy which captain Mile Jedinak then held aloft before the rampantly cheering crowd.

A disappointed South Korea coach Stielike underlined the final could have gone either way.

"It was very hard for us to lose the final after coming back into the game after going a goal down," he said.

"After a long tournament, the players tried hard and got us back in the game inside the 90 minutes.

"It's a shame that we lost the final because the way we played showed that we did not deserve to lose.

"I only have one thing to say back to the fans back at home: Korea, you can be proud of your boys." Endi