Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sydney: Hosts Australia and Korea Republic will face off in the AFC Asian Cup 2015 final after they both recorded 2-0 victories in the semi-finals.
The two sides have conceded just one goal between them on the way to Saturday’s blockbuster in Sydney.
Ange Postecoglou’s men will be looking to win their first AFC Asian Cup after losing in the final to Japan in 2011, while Korea Republic are looking to break a 55-year drought.
AUSTRALIA V KOREA REPUBLIC MATCH FACTS
Korea Republic are aiming to win their third AFC Asian Cup, but their first in 55 years (1956 and 1960).
The Red Devils have lost three Asian Cup finals since their last victory in 1960 (1972 to Iran, 1980 to Kuwait and 1988 to Saudi Arabia).
Australia were beaten finalists at Qatar 2011. They lost 0-1 to Japan after extra-time.
Both of the Socceroos’ eliminations in AFC Asian Cup history have required extra-time (final defeat in 2007 and penalty defeat in 2007 after penalties – both versus Japan).
This game will be the third AFC Asian Cup meeting between the two nations. Korea Republic are unbeaten in the previous two (W1 D1).
Korea Republic defeated Australia 1-0 when the two teams met in the group stages of this tournament; although both sides had already secured their quarter-final spots.
Only Iran (32.3% vs UAE) have won a game at the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 with a lower amount of possession than Korea Republic enjoyed in their group stage win over Australia (32.8%).
Korea Republic are yet to concede a goal in the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015. They have won all five of their matches to nil.
In 1976, Iran won the AFC Asian Cup without conceding a goal - they played four games on their way to lifting the trophy.
No-one has been involved in more goals in the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 than Massimo Luongo (five; one goal and four assists – level with Jordan’s Hamza Al Dardour).
The Red Devils are unbeaten in 15 AFC Asian Cup matches (excl. penalty shootouts - W10 D5).
Japan (86.9%) are the only side with a superior passing accuracy in the 2015 Asian Cup to Australia (86.7%).
Only Iran (4) have scored more headed goals in the AFC Asian Cup 2015 than both of these sides (3).
Ki Sung-yueng has completed the most passes in four of Korea Republic’s five games at this tournament.
Tim Cahill has completed just 32 passes in five games at this tournament – one every nine minutes on average.
Photo: WSG