A lot to like in Asia

The Young Socceroos went down to a goalkeeping blunder in the final minutes of their Asian Cup Final last night.

Mark Birighetti dropped a simple cross and Korea DPR prodded home to win the final 3-2.

But there was an awful lot to like about this young Australian side.

Tommy Oar showed some real class, and excitement with his dribbling and crossing creating two goals for Kerum Bulut himself turning in a wonderful centre-forward display.

Fox commentator Mark Bosnich thinks Bulut has a big big future. We'll see.

Matthew Leckie impressed again. What a forward line.

In the midfield Ben Kantarovski showed real promise controlling large parts of the game. What's not to like about this guy.

Alongside Ben, Mustafa Amini and Terry Antonis two guys young enough to play next time, are special talents.

So why did we lose?

Well a few missed chances at crucial times, and some calamity defending albeit on a dodgy bumpy pitch didn't help.

No-one says playing in North Korea is better than training in Europe but it clearly must be given this result.

For me, I was excited by the Aussie attacking talent in the front six. How special it's hard to say but really this could be the start of something big.

Antonis and Armini given their ages and performances are perhaps the most exciting talents to emerge.