SHAIKH SALMAN HAILS AUSTRALIA’S AFC ASIAN CUP 2015 TRIUMPH

Sydney: AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has offered his congratulations to the AFC Asian Cup 2015 winners, Australia, following their hard fought victory over Korea Republic in Saturday’s final – which ended 2-1 after extra time.

Shaikh Salman, who handed over the prestigious Asian Cup trophy to Socceroos team captain Mile Jedinak after the final whistle at the Stadium Australia Sydney, said it has been a remarkable 23-day celebration of Asian football and the thrilling encounter between Australia and Korea Republic in the final had rounded off the tournament perfectly.

"Australia has won the competition for the very first time in their history, and to do this in front of the home crowd is truly special. I would like to commend the team for their deserved victory,” he said. “Furthermore, whilst we always welcome coaches from outside Asia, it is nice to see the team coached by one of our own.”

The AFC President also expressed his hopes that the competition as well as Australia’s victory would provide the impetus for the rest of Asia to progress and elevate their standard to an even higher level.

“Australia’s win and their standard of performance throughout the competition is a yardstick that all Asian nations should look to follow, and this also goes for their organisation of the whole event.

“The tournament itself has been tremendous. Filled with quality and excitement, it was a fantastic festival of football that the whole of Asia can be proud of.

"As such, allow me to congratulate Australia for hosting such a memorable AFC Asian Cup. The whole world was presented with a competition that has been remarkable in spirit and in passion, and we have Australia to thank for that,” he said.

The President also praised runners-up Korea Republic for showing great effort during the tournament, reaching the final with the best defence whilst fielding a young squad. He also admired the team for being model professionals on and off the pitch.

The AFC President took the opportunity to praise all teams that participated in the AFC Asian Cup, as the competition this year has provided a thoroughly enjoyable experience for the fans.

He added that the whole continent proved to have amazing enthusiasm for the game, as demonstrated by the impressive attendance figures throughout the tournament, the television viewership, and the online and social media reach.

Shaikh Salman said that he is looking forward to an exciting future for the competition with more teams joining in for the 2019 edition of the AFC Asian Cup, and with qualification starting later this year the excitement is set to begin all over again.

AUSTRALIA WIN THE AFC ASIAN CUP

Sydney: James Troisi scored at the end of the first period of extra-time to give Australia their first-ever senior Asian men’s title with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Korea Republic in the final of the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 at Stadium Australia on Saturday.

Troisi’s goal in the 105th minute earned Australia the title after Massimo Luongo had put the Socceroos in front in the 44th minute only for Bayer Leverkusen winger Son Heung-min to take the game into extra-time with a stoppage-time equaliser.

Played in front of a sell-out crowd of 76,385, the Australians secured their first AFC Asian Cup since joining the Asian Football Confederation in 2006 and four years after losing in the final to a late extra-time winner against Japan.

Korea’s wait for a third AFC Asian Cup goes on, meanwhile, as Uli Stielike’s team were unable to break the 55-year hoodoo in the country’s first appearance in the final since 1988.

Stielike made one change to the line-up that saw off Iraq in the semi-finals, calling up Jang Hyun-soo to partner Ki Sung-yueng in the middle to allow Park Joo-ho to sit in front of Kim Jin-soo on the left, while Ivan Franjic was passed fit for an unchanged Socceroos.

The game opened at a frantic pace and, by the end of the half, the Socceroos had taken the lead against the run of play after Korea had spurned several opportunities to put themselves on the scoreboard.

It was Son Heung-min who caused the greatest threat to the home side’s goal, volleying just wide in the 37th minute after impressive work down the left from Park Joo-ho and Kim Jin-su while, less than a minute later, the Bayer Leverkusen man was denied what looked a certain goal by Luongo’s outstretched foot.

Tim Cahill had earlier forced Kim Jin-hyeon into action in the Korean goal, the Cerezo Osaka keeper diving to his left to push the former Everton man’s effort around the post after holding off the challenge of Kwak Tae-hwi, who had sent his own header just wide mere seconds later at the other end.

But with barely a minute left in the half, Luongo struck to put the Socceroos in front. Trent Sainsbury’s ball into the Swindon Town man’s feet allowed Luongo to turn and beat Ki Sung-yueng before hitting a low, unstoppable right-foot effort beyond Kim Jin-hyeon.

The Koreans were forced to push for the equaliser as the second half wore on, and a disciplined Australian defence kept them at bay until, a minute into stoppage time, Son Heung-min latched on to Ki Sung-yueng’s pass to fire beyond Mat Ryan and send the game into extra-time.

But Troisi put the Australians back in front in the 105th minute when he was first to react after Kim Jin-hyeon pushed Tomi Juric’s centre back into play, and the Belgium-based midfielder fired the ball high into the net to seal the win and see Australia crowned champions of Asia.

Ayew fires Ghana into last eight

Andre Ayew's late diving header secured Ghana a 2-1 win over South Africa and qualification to theCAF Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals as Group C winners.

Mandla Masango gave South Africa the lead in the 17th minute, when he smashed home past Ghana goalkeeper Razak Braimah from outside the box. The Black Stars drew level in the 73rd minute through defender John Boye, whose drilled shot screamed under a diving goalkeeper Nhlanhla Khuzwayo. Ayew then grabbed the winner in the 83rd minute through a diving header off a cross by Abdul Rahman Baba.

That left Ghana as Group C winners on six points with Algeria finishing second, also on six points after they beat Senegal 2-0 in the other game being played simultaneously in Malabo. This was Ghana's first win at the Nations Cup against Bafana Bafana after two defeats and a draw.

After a tentative start by both teams, Ghana threatened the South Africa goal twice in quick succession by the sixth minute. First, a header by Jonathan Mensah off a Mubarak Wakaso free-kick missed the target and moments later, South Africa goalkeeper Khuzwayo failed to hold on to a low drive, Jordan Ayew pounced on the rebound, but it was cleared off the line for a corner by Mathoho.

After South Africa went in front against the run of play, Ghana poured forward in search of an equalising goal. A thunderbolt by Abdul Rahman Baba from outside the South Africa area in the 33rd minute was pushed away by goalkeeper Khuzwayo Six minutes later, South Africa striker Bongani Ndulula forced goalkeeper Braimah to dive low and keep out his goal-bound header at the near post.

In the 48th minute, skipper Gyan's free-kick from a good position narrowly missed the mark as Ghana continued to attack in the hope of getting back into the game. Seven minutes later it was the turn of Wakaso to force the goalkeeper to fumble his low shot drilled from distance for a corner. Celtic ace Wakaso again tried his luck from distance soon after, but again found no joy.

Ghana continued to pile on the pressure before they were rewarded in the 73rd minute through Boye and moments later, substitute Kwesi Appiah would have given the Black Stars the lead but his shot was turned away for a corner by the goalkeeper.

Their persistence eventually earned them the much-needed winner seven minutes from time and safe passage to the knockout rounds.

Algeria advance at Senegal's expense Algeria secured their spot in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations thanks to a 2-0 win against Senegal in their last Group C game in Malabo.

On a dramatic evening, Riyad Mahrez set Algeria on their way with the opening goal inside 11 minutes, and for a long time it looked as if both sides would be heading through to the last eight. Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Nabil Bentaleb then produced a superb finish to double Algeria's lead eight minutes from the end to seal a berth in the knockout stage for Christian Gourcuff's men.

Africa's best side in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings can now look forward to a quarter-final tie in Malabo on Sunday, while Senegal will have to wait at least another two years to end their search for a first Cup of Nations crown.

Algeria created very little in losing 1-0 to Ghana in their last outing, but the Desert Warriors should have been in front inside two minutes on this occasion, with Sofiane Feghouli passing up a glorious chance when left with just the goalkeeper to beat.

However, they did not have to wait long to get the breakthrough. The game was only 11 minutes old when a quickly-taken Madjid Bougherra free-kick on halfway completely caught out the sleeping five-man Senegal defence, allowing Mahrez to control and tuck home under Bouna Coundoul.

It could have been even worse for the Lions of Teranga with the tricky Yacine Brahimi opening up play for Hilal Soudani on the right, but the striker, making his first appearance at the finals, saw his powerful shot beaten away by the goalkeeper.

Senegal became more of a threat themselves as the half wore on with Southampton's Sadio Mane firing over and Papy Djilobodji sending a long-range free-kick narrowly wide. Coach Alain Giresse was then forced into a change as Pape Souare replaced starting left-back Cheikh Mbengue, who suffered a head wound in a clash with Aissa Mandi. Still they had opportunities to restore parity before the interval, though, as Rais Mbolhi failed to hold a speculative Idrissa Gueye strike and then denied Stephane Badji following a quickly-taken free-kick.

The score in the night's other game meant both Algeria and Senegal were heading through at the interval, but Giresse's side were eager to keep their fate in their own hands. The introduction of Newcastle United's Papiss Cisse early in the second half in place of Papa Diop saw Senegal play with three up front and they pinned Algeria back in search of an equaliser.

But it was Gourcuff's side who almost netted again with 15 minutes remaining, Kara Mbodj clearing a Saphir Taider shot off the line after Coundoul fumbled a Mahrez cross. And they did increase their lead with eight minutes left, the accomplished Bentaleb beating Coundoul with a thumping strike from the edge of the box after receiving a pass from Feghouli.

At that point both sides were still heading through, but a second goal for Ghana moments later in Mongomo ensured that Senegal would be heading home.

AFC ASIAN CUP SF: KOREA REPUBLIC 2-0 IRAQ

Sydney: Korea Republic will play in the final of the AFC Asian Cup for the first time since 1988 after Uli Stielike’s side handed 2007 champions Iraq a 2-0 defeat to book their place in the competition’s final at Stadium Australia.

The two-time champions – who have not won the continental title since 1960 – will meet either hosts Australia or 2013 Gulf Cup champions the United Arab Emirates on Saturday after goals from Lee Jeong-hyeop and Kim Young-gwon took the Taeguk Warriors past the Iraqis.

Korea last played in the final of the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar in 1988, when they lost on penalties to Saudi Arabia, and Stielike’s side avenged a semi-final defeat at the hands of Iraq when Younus Mahmood and his team mates went on to win the AFC Asian Cup in 2007.

Stielike made two changes to his starting line-up, bringing in Han Kyo-won for former AFC Player of the Year Lee Keun-ho as veteran right back Cha Du-ri replaced Kim Chang-soo.

Iraqi, meanwhile, called up Osamah Shakir for the suspended Yaser Kasim and Amjed Kalaf took the place of Columbus Crew midfielder Justin Meram.

The Koreans wasted little time taking the initiative, with Han Kyo-won narrowly missing with a diving header from Ki Sung-yueng’s in-swinging free kick from the left while Nam Tae-hee tried his luck from distance, only to send the ball over the bar.

Son Heung-min’s 19th minute surge through the Iraqi midfield ended with the Bayer Leverkusen man seeing his drive from distance tipped over the bar by Jalal Hassan, and soon after Lee Jeong-hyeon claimed his second goal of the tournament.

The 23-year-old Sangju Sangmu forward rose highest to reach Kim Jin-su’s free kick from close to the right touchline before Hassan could punch clear, the header sending the Korean fans amongst the 36,053 crowd into raptures in the 20th minute.

Korea had been dominant in the first half but, with six minutes remaining in the half, Iraq finally had a sight of goal. Ahmed Yaseen sent his long-range attempt well over the bar while, two minutes ahead of the break, Kalaf forced Kim Jin-hyeon to drop to his right to push a low shot away for a corner.

Five minutes after the restart, however, the Koreans all but put the game to bed.

Lee Jeong-hyeop was involved again, this time chesting the ball down on the edge of the area into the path of defender Kim Young-gwon and the Guangzhou Evergrande man’s bouncing shot skidded past Hassan and into the corner of the goal.

Ki Sung-yueng and Son Heung-min both tried their luck unsuccessfully from long range soon after, before the increasingly desperate Iraqis started pumping the ball long towards captain Mahmood.

But the veteran could not find a way past a Korean defence that has yet to concede a goal at the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015, and the Taeguk Warriors sealed their long-awaited place in the final of the continental championship.

AFC ASIAN CUP SF: AUSTRALIA 2-0 UAE

Newcastle: Hosts Australia will face Korea Republic in the final of the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 after maiden international goals from both Trent Sainsbury and Jason Davidson in the first half at a damp Newcastle Stadium secured a 2-0 win over the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.

Sainsbury handed 2011 finalists Australia the ideal start to their bid to secure a second consecutive final appearance as the centre-back headed home inside the first three minutes of the semi-final with his first goal for the Socceroos.

And with Davidson following suit 11 minutes later as the full-back became Australia’s 10th different scorer during the tournament, Ange Postecoglou’s side will face two-time winners Korea on Saturday at Stadium Australia looking to claim a maiden continental title.

Both sides made two changes following their semi-final successes, with Australia recalling defender Matthew Spiranovic and midfielder Mark Milligan, while the UAE brought in full-back Walid Abbas and forward Mohamed Abdulrahman.

And it was Spiranovic’s central defensive partner Sainsbury who handed Australia the ideal start inside the first three minutes as the centre-back powered a downward header from Massimo Luongo’s right wing corner past Majed Naser.

Australia, though, were given a huge let off seven minutes later as Ahmed Khalil hit the foot of the post from Abdulaziz Sanqour’s low cross with goalkeeper Mat Ryan rooted to the spot.

But Australia took full advantage just four minutes later as the UAE defended desperately close to their own goal, but after only being able to scramble the ball out towards the edge of the penalty area, Davidson was on hand to fire a low first-time effort into the bottom corner past Naser.

The UAE finally came into the contest at the end of the second half, but with Australia goalkeeper Ryan yet to be fully tested, the hosts still looked the more likely to add to their advantage.

Omar Abdulrahman was finally having more of an impact on the contest at the start of the second half and the UAE remained in the hunt for way back into the contest as Khalil flashed an effort just wide six minutes after the restart with Ryan at full stretch.

Australia coach Postecoglou reacted to this by reshaping the Socceroos’ midfield just before the hour mark with the introduction of Matt McKay at the expense of Milligan.

And Australia were able to close out the contest without any major scares with Postecoglou having the luxury of being able to withdraw both Tim Cahill and Robbie Kruse as the UAE faded over the final minutes having fallen short of a return to the final for the first time since 1996.

SHABAB SIGN GHANAIAN GOAL-MACHINE ANTWI

Riyadh: AFC Champions League 2015 Group B side Al Shabab have secured the services of Ghanaian striker John Antwi, who was leading the 2014/15 Egyptian Premier League scoring charts prior to his move to the Saudi Arabian giants.

Antwi had scored 12 times in 17 matches for Ismaily SC by the half-way stage of the 2014/15 campaign, having finished the previous season as the leading marksman with 11 goals for the three-time Egyptian champions, before putting pen-to-paper on a two-year contract with Al Shabab on Monday.

Al Shabab, who qualified for the 2015 ACL by winning defeating Playoff hopefuls Al Ahli 3-0 in last year’s King’s Cup of Champions final, will kick-off their ninth campaign in Asia’s premier club competition when they travel to the UAE to face inaugural ACL champions Al Ain.

Al Shabab’s tournament opener on February 24 could see Antwi go head-to-head with compatriot and Ghana national team skipper Asamoah Gyan, who was last year’s ACL top scorer and 2014 AFC Foreign Player of the Year.