How Australia Made History in the Asian Football Cup · Global Voices
Manuel Ribeiro

South Korea supporters taking a selfie before the match finals against Australia. Photo by author Manuel Ribeiro.
The Socceroos of Australia became “champions of Asia” after a 2-1 win against The Red Devils of South Korea in the 2015 Asian Football Confederation held in Sydney.
CHAMPIONS OF ASIA! #GoSocceroos @Socceroos #GoAussie #AUSvKOR #ACFinal #AC2015 @FFA @theheraldsun @camcansnap pic.twitter.com/DBplAIwvMi — Heraldsunphoto (@heraldsunphoto) January 31, 2015
Twitter was flooded with supporters from all over commenting on the exciting final that took place in the land of cricket. Selfies were also a trend before and after the match.
Even the players wanted to register this moment with a selfie:
.@MassLuongo gets a #AC2015 Champions selfie!! #ACFinal pic.twitter.com/PF3s6HRIrk
— AFC Asian Cup (@afcasiancup) January 31, 2015
More than 76,000 fans went into a sold out Stadium Australia in Sydney`s Olympic Park. Organisers requested everyone to use public transport, especially trains:
The #ACFinal is a SELL OUT today! Make sure you take advantage of the free transport & get down early! #AC2015 pic.twitter.com/oWlCAAtr0e — AFC Asian Cup (@afcasiancup) January 31, 2015
How both teams got into the finals
Captain Tim Cahill led the Australian squad to this year´s finals after beating UAE by 2-0 in the semi-finals. South Korea, led by its star Son Heung Min, also reached the finals after beating difficult Iraq with a 2-0 victory in Sydney. The Iraqis previously defeated Iran in a dramatic game during the quarter-finals held in Canberra. Koreans were looking to conquer their third AFC Asian cup. However, Australia took the lead in the final match after Massimo Luongo scored the opening goal of the match:
MASSIMO LUONGO! http://t.co/G56vuf6nm5 #ACFinal #AC2015
— Alexander† (@andertyo) January 31, 2015
Massimo is already considered the Socceroos’ new star:
Wow. Great contest. One moment of genius from the new prince of Australian football — Craig Foster (@Craig_Foster) January 31, 2015
The Red Devils lost four Asian Cup finals since their last victory in 1960 (1972 to Iran, 1980 to Kuwait and 1988 to Saudi Arabia) and now against Australia, which took home its first Asian Cup after joining this confederation in 2006. The Socceroos were beaten finalists at Qatar in 2011. They lost 0-1 to Japan after extra-time.
Fans find it hard to believe but Australia is currently leading soccer in this part of the world:
Who would have guessed Australia would be reigning AFC Champions League & Asian Cup (?) holders twelve months ago? #ACFinal #AC2015 #KORvAUS — Javier Queiroz (@StuffedShoulder) January 31, 2015
After 90 minutes into the game when everyone was already convinced victory would go to Australia, South Korea drew the score to 1-1 when the team's star player Son Ming scored a goal, leaving the Aussie fans despairing and taking the match into extra-time:
#Sonaldo https://t.co/PnpfW49aMW #손흥민 #ACFinal #KORvAUS #TIME_for_CHANGE
— Joel Kim (김현중) (@_joelkim) January 31, 2015
During extra-time James Troisi toom the lead, scoring Australia`s second goal after a great play from Juric in the right corner:
YES YES YES ! 1:2 TROISI @Socceroos GOAL! Come on #GoSocceroos !!! #AC2015 #KORAUS https://t.co/JtHUYS3Oon
— AleksandraKalinowska (@Ola_Kalinowska) January 31, 2015
The game became a dangerous one for people with a heart condition. On Twitter, fans desperately say:
If Korea equalise again i'll cry… I'm not even Australian #GoSocceroos #AC2015 #ACFinal — Cara Conboy (@carabonara11) January 31, 2015
After this great win by Australia many believe soccer will become more popular especially among young kids from down under. The highlights of the match were also available on Twitter a few minutes after the awards ceremony:
HIGHLIGHTS | Korea Republic 1 – 2 Australia: http://t.co/g6pmx81FxJ #ACFinal #AC2015
— AFC Asian Cup (@afcasiancup) January 31, 2015