S Korea return to friendly reception after Asian Cup final

SEOUL, Feb 2 (AP): When South Korea returned home after collecting just one point at last year's World Cup, fans in Seoul heckled the players and offered the local insult of pelting them with candy.
On Sunday evening, just 24 hours after losing a thrilling Asian Cup final 2-1 to Australia in Sydney, South Korea's players arrived back at the same Incheon International Airport to be greeted in a much friendlier fashion after local media called for flowers and not candy - two words that rhyme in Korean - to be thrown.
"It has been tough for the players since the World Cup so this was necessary," coach Uli Stielike said. "The most important point about this tournament is that it has restored Korea's standing in Asia and recovered the Korean spirit ... through this tournament, we can have a new start. We didn't win but we tried our best."
After reaching the final without conceding a goal, South Korea could have taken the trophy back to Seoul for the first time since 1960.  For periods in the final in Sydney, the Taeguk Warriors were on top.
After falling behind to a Massimo Luonga goal after 44 minutes, Son Heung-min equalized in the 91st. With a penalty shootout looming, James Troisi scored the winning goal for Australia in extra time.