THANKS TIMMY
Cahill calls an end to international career
TIM Cahill has boxed his last corner flag for the Socceroos, having called time on his international career.
Having made 107 appearances in a glittering Socceroos career which included 50 goals, 38-yearold Cahill has hung up his boots at international level.
His last appearance for Australia was off the bench last month in the Socceroos’ 2-0 World Cup loss to Peru in Russia. Cahill is yet to call it quits at club level.
He will front the media in Sydney on Friday, but yesterday issued a statement in which he paid tribute to his family, teammates, Socceroos staff and fans.
“I am incredibly proud to have had the opportunity to represent my country over 100 times,” said Cahill, who made his Socceroos debut against South Africa in March, 2004 in London.
“Every single cap has been an honour. My parents have supported me from the very beginning and their sacrifice has made my entire career possible.
“There is no way my time with the Socceroos could have lasted this long without my wife and kids.
“My teammates from back in 2004 all the way through to now have pushed me to continue to improve and we have all shared in the highs and lows together.
“The Socceroos jersey has always meant so much to those of us who are privileged enough to wear it because it represents every single person who has supported us.”
Socceroos great Craig Moore called for Cahill to be given the send off he deserves after the national team’s all-time leading goalscorer’s decision to call time on his international career.
Moore, who played alongside Cahill at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, said the man many consider to be the greatest ever Socceroo deserved proper recognition from Football Federation Australia.
“That’s something that FFA haven’t done well in the past,” Moore said. “When you think of the likes of Lucas Neill, Mark Schwarzer, Mark Bresciano … none got a proper farewell. We can’t let that happen again.”