It doesn't always have to be the beautiful game to be the compelling game, the fascinating game, the 'I can't take my eyes off this as I don't what what might happen next' game.

It can sometimes be the cruellest game, the most miserable game, the game that breaks your heart and leaves you in pieces as you wonder about the injustice of it all, as you deal with that sick to the pit of your stomach feeling of having it all and then seeing it snatched away.

But it can also be the most exhilarating game, the most exciting game, the most thrilling, intoxicating, invigorating and energising game, the game that lifts your emotions and sets your heart soaring after plunging you into disappointment and despair.

Australia looked as though it was destined to win the Asian Cup through a solitary but memorable Massimo Luongo goal, a wonderful turn, spin and shoot, the type of goal that deserves to decide such a major tournament and create sporting history.

As the Iranian referee Alireza Faghani was once again checking his watch and preparing to blow full-time on this final, the Socceroos  sucked in some more deep breaths. Fingers, toes and everything else were crossed.

Surely they could hold out for just a few more seconds against a quality South Korean side that had enjoyed the bulk of possession and looked the more composed team for long periods but had not been able to hit the target.

But for Australia fate — in those dying moments — was cruel. For South Korea it was the opposite, a benign influence which brought them their just desserts in the shape of a stoppage-time equaliser for their star player Son Heung-min, just seconds from time, ensuring this humdinger of a final went to extra-time.

But fate is capricious. Having dealt Australia a body blow, one that almost sapped its spirit, it did the same to the South Koreans 15 minutes later as James Troisi, off the bench for the injured Robbie Kruse, was the right man in the right place to sweep home the winner at the end of the first period of extra-time.

It was testament to the Australians' spirit that they didn't bow or sag when Son forged his team a late lifeline. They rolled up their sleeves, dug in and in the end delivered the greatest triumph in the national team's history, winning a marvellously entertaining contest 2-1.

Finals are so often tense, taut, cagey affairs. This was anything but, the high drama in the denoument a fitting finale for an addictive contest. It was gripping, enthralling, captivating, riveting, must-watch action, a high stakes battle in which the passion and desire of the participants was palpable

Those who criticise soccer in this country often complain about its lack of physicality, its langours and stoppages for set pieces and fouls, its alleged lack of intensity and bite.

Anyone who watched this Asian Cup final would have to recant such views.

This was a match that burned with intensity, right from the first few minutes when Australia's combative captain Mile Jedinak floored South Korea's creative fulcrum Son with a body check that left the Bayer Leverkusen forward winded and immobile for what seemed like an age.

The large crowd of vociferous Koreans and patriotic Australians gave the huge Stadium Australia the atmosphere of a bearpit, and the players, particularly the Australians, seemed to feed off this energy.

Coach Ange Postecoglou has made no secret of his desire to create a team that is recognisably Australian in style.

Most pundits, referencing his work at Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory, imagine that his Socceroos will therefore play a passing game, characterised by patience, diligence and precision.

But Postecoglou is also a pragmatist, and while his team can play that way against opponents of lesser calibre, when they are up against teams that are their equals he sometimes has to employ a different playbook.

Australia is not afraid to mix it up and adopt a physical, direct, competitive approach, one in which a high workrate and commitment to pressing the opposition, snapping at their heels and shirking no contest becomes the favoured strategy.

It too is recognisably Australian, an up-and-at-them, take-the-game-to-the-opposition mentality, and is one which suits the group of players he has assembled and nurtured in the past 15 months. And on this night it worked perfectly to produce a result for the ages. Australia, Asian champions. Salute the Socceroos, and the coach who, in 15 short months, has revamped and revitalised an ageing squad and made them the number one team in the region.