SYDNEY: Hosts Australia take on South Korea in the Asian Cup final on Saturday in a blockbuster clash between two of the region's heavyweight teams.
The match pits the tournament's most prolific attack against its meanest defence, with Australia looking to breach a Korean rearguard which has yet to concede a goal.
South Korea beat Australia 1-0 in the group stage but the result will count for little when they meet in front of 80,000 fans at 8:00 pm (0900 GMT) in Sydney.
Tens of thousands of Korean fans are expected at a sold-out Stadium Australia as the Taeguk Warriors look to end a title drought which stretches back to 1960.
Television shows have been rescheduled and the match will be broadcast live on two free-to-air channels as Asian Cup fever grows in South Korea.
The build-up in Australia, not traditionally a footballing nation, has been more measured and was disrupted by reports of opposition to the country's membership of the Asian confederation.
But a home win could be hugely significant for the sport as football looks to challenge Australia's more established rugby codes, Australian rules and cricket.
"I said the World Cup would be big, but I also said the Asian Cup would be even bigger and I don't think people really knew what I was talking about at the time," star forward Tim Cahill wrote in a Herald Sun column on Saturday.
"I've been fortunate to be the first ever goal-scorer for Australia in a World Cup and an Asian Cup and I've played in three World Cups, but this will be right up there as a massive team effort and as something the playing group has helped build with Ange Postecoglou."
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