Cahill quits A-League club to focus on Cup
Socceroos star Tim Cahill has quit Melbourne City in a move that has looked to be on the cards ever since he made his plea last month for more game time to help him cement a spot in the Australian Fifa World Cup squad.
The football striker, who has rarely featured in new coach Warren Joyce’s starting line up, has not said where he is going. But he is determined to play regularly so that he can impress the as-yet unknown Socceroo coach enough to ensure he is on the plane to Russia for a tilt at his fourth World Cup.
Cahill has played just six games for City this season, five of which he has started from the bench, and had reportedly fallen out with Joyce after dropping out of the first team.
While the former Everton star, who turned 38 yesterday, might not have been a key part of City’s plans, he played a major role in helping get the Socceroos to Russia
2018. His two goals against Syria in the first Asian playoff ensured the Socceroos advanced to the intercontinental playoff against Honduras, which they won.
Cahill signed with City in August 2016 and has scored 13 goals for the club, most famously a
35-yard volley on debut against Melbourne Victory, which later won goal of the year, and the winner in the 2016 FFA Cup final.
Cahill highlighted his focus on playing in Russia next year.
‘‘Qualifying for the World Cup has been a great adventure, and it would be a massive honour to represent my country in Russia. That will be my focus in the coming months,’’ he said in a statement.
City CEO Scott Munn thanked Cahill for his contribution to the club.
Cahill’s departure is the latest in a period of upheaval at Melbourne City after former assistant coach Michael Valkanis was sacked last week and replaced by Tony Vidmar.