It’s been some couple of weeks for the Socceroos and the Australian public have backed our boys to the hilt.
But there's still have one big hurdle to jump to claim the prize they really want – the Asian Cup trophy.
Let’s take a look back at the Socceroos path to Saturday night’s final against Korea Republic at Stadium Australia.
Statement made in Melbourne opener
Despite conceding a shock opening goal inside the first eight minutes to Hussain Fadel, there was to be no opening night disappointment for the Socceroos.
A new star emerged in Massimo Luongo, who set up the equalizer for Tim Cahill before planting home a header himself to make it 2-1 at the break.
Encouraged to go for the throat by Postecoglou the Socceroos didn’t let up, with a Mile Jedinak penalty and a late James Troisi night ensuring a comfortable 4-1 win.
A perfect start for the tournament hosts on a night the Asian Cup kicked off.
Goals flow as Socceroos steamroll Oman in Sydney
Following a nervy first 25 minutes you wouldn’t have predicted what would happen in a devastating 18-minute burst just before half-time.
Matt McKay, Robbie Kruse and Mark Milligan – in for injured skipper Mile Jedinak – all struck before the break to put the result beyond doubt heading to the sheds.
In one of Australia’s best all-round performances in some-time, Oman had no answer to the pace, power and as Oman coach Paul Le Guen said later, the “dynamism” of the Socceroos.
Tomi Juric completed the rout and became the eighth different scorer in two matches. Six points from two games. Qualification was sealed.
But who’d finish in top spot?
Setback as Socceroos lose to South Korea
Group A’s two heavyweights went head-to-head in the last group game to see who would secure top spot. The Socceroos only needed a draw but weren’t about to sit back, attacking the Koreans at every opportunity.
But a sloppy defensive lapse saw enabled the visitors to pounce just before half-time through Lee Jeonghyeop.
The Socceroos then smashed Korea in the second half searching for an equalizer but a mixture of poor finishing and some sublime saves from keeper Kim Jin Hyeon kept them at bay.
The loss meant second spot in the group and potentially a harder route to the final for the hosts.
However it did mean Australia remained in the Queensland capital for the quarter-final clash.
King Cahill delivers against China in Brisbane
Alain Perrin’s tournament surprise-packets provided a stiff challenge in the quarter-finals. But when the Socceroos needed a match-winner, who else but Tim Cahill stepped up yet again.
First he produced a stunning bicycle kick with his back to goal – a contender for goal of the tournament – to open the scoring before a trademark powerful header midway through the second half made the result safe.
The Chinese had no answer to Cahill’s brilliance and Australia had bounced back in emphatic fashion to secure a semi-final berth in front of almost 50,000 fans at Brisbane stadium.
Early goals blow away UAE in Newcastle
Conquerors of the Samurai Blue in the quarter-finals, United Arab Emirates – with superstar Omar Abdulrahman pulling the strings – would provide a serious threat to the Socceroos’ hopes of a second straight final appearance.
In front of 21,000 in Newcastle, a fast start would be imperative. And that’s exactly what the Socceroos got with defenders Trent Sainsbury and Jason Davidson scoring their first international goals inside the first 14 minutes.
It wasn’t Australia’s most polished performance of the tournament but they got the ultimate reward, another shot at the title.
Now, the final awaits…
It will be an incredible occasion. Can we make history?