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Any concerns of stage-fright were banished emphatically on Saturday night by the young and courageous Socceroos, who overcame key injuries and late heartbreak to claim the 2015 Asian Cup in glorious fashion.
The Socceroos' most inexperienced starter, Massimo Luongo, was a minute away from being the hero before superstar Son Heung-Min dramatically sent the game into extra-time.
And as injuries cost Australia key trio Tim Cahill, Ivan Franjic and Robbie Kruse in a cruel 10-minute second half spell, another lesser light James Troisi scored the winner after fellow super sub Tomi Juric's persistence was rewarded.
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The Socceroos' 2-1 extra-time win over South Korea is Australia's first piece of major silverware and underlines the success of an extraordinary 14-month overhaul under Ange Postecoglou.
Luongo, his Asian Cup wildcard selection, has started every game and justified it with a glorious goal that looked set to claim glory inside 90 minutes, but was eventually decided in extra-time.
It was there the Socceroos' superior fitness and savvy squad rotation came home to roost, with Troisi scoring in the 105th minute.
Whether it was a directive or purely adrenalin, the Socceroos were highly physical, starting with Mile Jedinak's second minute bump on Son just as the attacker was getting his shot off.
It affected the South Koreans as their coaching staff was off the bench several times to protest, the Socceroos on the other hand relished the duel.
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It was a frantic opening half with the ball regularly turned over, while referee Alireza Faghani's whistle was regularly heard, affecting the game's flow.
The Socceroos and Franjic dodged a bullet when South Korea's star and the most gifted player at the Asian Cup Son started on the right-wing.
It left underdone Franjic to instead contend with the less dangerous Park Joo-Hoo, who usually plays deeper.
But Franjic, who the Socceroos had planned a contingency for if he didn't get through the warm up, was still troubled by Park and earnt a booking within six minutes after a blatant shirt tug.
Perhaps a combination of the groin strain and the way the game had panned out, with South Korea attacking, Franjic didn't provide his usual overlap.
Ange Postecoglou's wildcard - Massimo Luongo - came up trumps again in the final. Source: AFP
Son was looming large in the 10 minutes before half-time, involved in every one of South Korea's bona fide chances.
Sloppy touches often slowed Australia's play in potentially threatening situations.
But as the seconds were ticking down to half-time, Luongo produced the most sublime bit of skill of the first half.
He received the ball from Trent Sainsbury with his back to goal, but with an exquisite first touch evaded Ki Sung-Yueng and was facing forward.
A shattered Robbie Kruse leaves the field on a stretcher. Source: Getty Images
With the second touch he set himself up without breaking stride and with his third he unleashed a stunning shot from 20 metres which sizzled past keeper Kim Jin-Hyeon.
The second half lacked clear-cut chances as the Socceroos battled injury and fatigue midway through the half.
Cahill was the first to make way after copping a knock on his foot, then a distraught Kruse was stretchered into the rooms after injuring his achilles.
Third and least surprisingly, Franjic's groin gave way, as energetic Matt McKay came on, with Milligan - who was superb in midfield - deployed to right-back.
Ivan Franjic hobbled off in the second half. Source: Getty Images
Australia battled bravely in the closing minutes, but Sainsbury's failure to clear and Son's touch of class sent the game into extra-time.
The Socceroos looked shell-shocked but Postecoglou picked them up during the five-miute interval, and the young side composed itself and simply overran the South Koreans despite key personnel watching from the sidelines.
The subs made an impact as the Aussies claimed the crown in an epic.
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