Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou’s overwhelming emotion is relief.
Postecoglou and his players delivered Australia its first major men’s soccer trophy with a 2-1 Asian Cup final triumph against South Korea.
The Australian manager knew it wouldn’t come easy – and it didn’t.
The Socceroos led 1-0 in the 91st minute before the Koreans equalised with just two minutes remaining of regulation time.
But Australia prevailed in a tense extra-time courtesy of substitute James Troisi’s winner in the 105th minute.
Asked his main emotion, Postecoglou replied: “It’s a funny one.
“Probably relief is the biggest one because you see so many people work so hard, and the players work so hard, and you want them to get the rewards.
“I have been around long enough to know this game is pretty cruel sometimes.”
But Postecoglou’s faith never wavered.
“I really believed in the whole group – the players, the staff – that there was a resilience in them,” he said.
“I said it to them during the day, whatever was going to happen today, and I knew that it wouldn’t just run to script or be simple, they had the power within them to overcome it.
“To see so many happy faces, you just get relief.”
BtoThePower3
Guest
He has never lost a grand finale, 5 out of 5 now.
The Minister
Guest
One word....CHAMPION ! The Melbourne boy who cut his teeth at South Melbourne Hellas as a centre back in the 80's who ended up coaching them against Man Utd in the club world championship....coached the Young Socceroos and maybe that was a little hit and miss but life is all about constant learning......then sat on "Offsiders" on the ABC as a commentator for a little while before doing what he did with Brisbane Roar.....then comes Melbourne Victory...I'm sure he had big plans for them as well, but Frank Lowy came calling....the rest is history. The world has now heard of the name Ange Postecoglou.
pete4
Guest
Absolutely pulsating final to cap off a wonderful tournament and our 1st major trophy in 93 years Confederations Cup in Russia 2017 here we come!!
britesparke
Roar Rookie
Ange did say that he wanted people to judge him on the results in this tournament and not on the friendlies played prior to this. Well.....he has delivered but not without being pushed to the limit by a Korean team in two matches (credit to Uli and his Korean charges). Ange had to start from scratch and now has a group that has not only been successful this tournament but will serve Australia well in the next challenges.