Yet, despite the heartbreak of defeat from the brink of triumph, Matricciani insisted that it’s the resilience of his team and not the result that will define the match in his memory.

“We love football for exactly these moments, sometimes it goes your way and sometimes it doesn’t. I think we played extremely well for 120 minutes, especially towards the end,” said Matricciani.

“The team showed incredible character, especially when things weren’t going our way and I cannot be prouder of them than I am now. I think the manner in which the players maintained composure was really commendable.

“I also think we dominated the game throughout extra time, and honestly, when it comes to a penalty shootout, it really is a coin toss and can go either way.”

The former midfielder was also quick to acknowledge the impact of the more than 18,000-strong crowd cheering on the home side, even as it added extra pressure on his players.

“It was an absolute pleasure to play in front of such a huge crowd, even if it is hostile towards you. As players, this is the kind of atmosphere you want to walk out to as it lifts both teams up,” said the 39-year-old. “The home advantage only really comes into play when there is a penalty shootout, which is what happened in our case, with the crowd cheering Wuhan on through the process."

“This competition has clearly shown how big it is and how much grander it will get, with more and more teams wanting to participate in the years to come.

“I hope we have made Australia proud and inspired future generations throughout Asia and with the premiership under our belt in domestic football, we have already qualified for the upcoming season,” he added.