A breathless Asian Cup final lived up to its pre-match billing, and for once it was not veteran striker Tim Cahill grabbing the headlines for Australia.

The 35-year-old's two goals against the United Arab Emirates had hauled his side into the final, but it was a player from the third tier of English football who landed the first punch for the Socceroos on the stroke of half-time. Showing a deft first touch, Swindon Town midfielder Massimo Luongo collected a through ball from Trent Sainsbury and lashed it into the back of the net from 25 meters.

Luongo's third goal for Australia looked to have won it for the hosts until Bayer Leverkusen striker Son Heung-Min leveled for South Korea in injury time following a defensive lapse by Sainsbury. The last-gasp equalizer epitomized the fighting spirit shown all tournament by South Korea. The team, managed by former German international Uli Stielike, had not conceded a goal en route to the final.

Even if South Korea looked slight favorites heading into extra-time, substitute James Troisi had other ideas for Australia. The 26-year-old Juventus midfielder put his side back in front in the last minute of the first half of extram time. After Tomi Juric had nut-megged Hoffenheim's Kim Jin-Su and seen his shot parried by South Korea goalkeeperKim Jin-Hyeon, Troisi was on hand to score.

This time the Socceroos back line held firm until the final whistle. It was not all joy for the Australia team, though as Leverkusen attacker Robbie Kruse was stretchered off in the second half of normal time with an injury.

His teammate Luongo was named the tournament's best player and after playing in front of the 76,000 noisy fans who sold out Stadium Australia his next competitive action will be for Swindon when they face Barnsley on February 7.

pwh/jh (Reuters, AP)