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 [1] @Socceroos [2] #GoAussie [3] #AUSvKOR [4] #ACFinal [5] #AC2015 [6] @FFA [7] @theheraldsun [8] @camcansnap [9] pic.twitter.com/DBplAIwvMi [10] — Heraldsunphoto (@heraldsunphoto) January 31, 2015 [11]
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 [12] gets a #AC2015 [6] Champions selfie!! #ACFinal [5] pic.twitter.com/PF3s6HRIrk [13]
— AFC Asian Cup (@afcasiancup) January 31, 2015 [14]
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 [5] is a SELL OUT today! Make sure you take advantage of the free transport & get down early! #AC2015 [6] pic.twitter.com/oWlCAAtr0e [15] — AFC Asian Cup (@afcasiancup) January 31, 2015 [16]
How both teams got into the finals
Captain Tim Cahill [17] led the Australian squad to this year´s finals after beating UAE by 2-0 in the semi-finals [18]. South Korea, led by its star Son Heung Min [19], also reached the finals after beating difficult Iraq with a 2-0 victory in Sydney [20]. The Iraqis previously defeated Iran in a dramatic game during the quarter-finals [21] 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 [22] scored the opening goal of the match:
MASSIMO LUONGO! http://t.co/G56vuf6nm5 [23] #ACFinal [5] #AC2015 [6]
— Alexander† (@andertyo) January 31, 2015 [24]
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 [25]
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 [26]. 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 [5] #AC2015 [6] #KORvAUS [27] — Javier Queiroz (@StuffedShoulder) January 31, 2015 [28]
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 [29] https://t.co/PnpfW49aMW [30] #손흥민 [31] #ACFinal [5] #KORvAUS [27] #TIME_for_CHANGE [32]
— Joel Kim (김현중) (@_joelkim) January 31, 2015 [33]
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 [2] GOAL! Come on #GoSocceroos [1] !!! #AC2015 [6] #KORAUS [34] https://t.co/JtHUYS3Oon [35]
— AleksandraKalinowska (@Ola_Kalinowska) January 31, 2015 [36]
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 [1] #AC2015 [6] #ACFinal [5] — Cara Conboy (@carabonara11) January 31, 2015 [37]
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 [38] #ACFinal [5] #AC2015 [6]
— AFC Asian Cup (@afcasiancup) January 31, 2015 [39]