Proud Postecoglou salutes Socceroos

Sydney (IraqiNews.com) Australia coach AngePostecoglou expressed his immense pride in his players after they claimed their first senior men’s Asian title with a 2-1 victory after extra-time over two-time winners Korea Republic in Saturday’s AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 final.

Midfielder Massimo Luongo opened the scoring in the championship decider at Stadium Australia just before the half-time interval but Son Heung-min was on target with a last-gasp leveller on the 91st minute to take the tie into extra-time. But halfway through the additional half-hour James Troisi put Australia back in front and secured the Asian crown forthe hosts as the Soccerroos exorcised the demons of four years ago when they lost out in the 2011 final in Qatar to Japan courtesy of Tadanari Lee’s extra-time winner. “I am super proud of everyone the players, the staff and everyone. I couldn’t be happier. It was a different kind of game tonight, it was tough, it was a final and you have to grind it out and no one knows better than me it never goes to script. There’s always twists but the courage the players showed tonight was enormous,” saidPostecoglou. “My only concern was that because we conceded so late, the boys would be so heartbroken they couldn’t pick themselves up in extra-time, but I knew we’d finish stronger.It was just a matter of taking our chance when it came, and we did, and like I said: I’m super proud of them.” Postecoglou is now hoping the Socceroos can go on and challenge the best teams in the world, starting at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia, where they will be Asia’s representative in 2017. “I know the whole country will be off their couches and won’t be able to sleep tonight,” he said. “Football is a great game; the greatest in the world. And hopefully us Aussies we can take on the best in the world because I have a real belief in this whole group and in Aussie football and we’ll move on from here.” /End/