‘Greatest Socceroo’ Cahill makes emotional swansong
SYDNEY: Veteran Tim Cahill bid an emotional farewell yesterday on his 108th and final appearance for Australia as Scottish striker Martin Boyle scored twice for his newly-adopted country.
Cahill, the Socceroos’ all-time top scorer with 50 goals, came out of international retirement to play the final nine minutes of Australia’s 3-0 win against Lebanon in their last match before defending the Asian Cup crown in January.
Coach Graham Arnold made sweeping changes from the line-up that drew 1-1 with South Korea on Saturday with Hibernian marksman Boyle, who recently secured an Australian passport, starting up front.
With the result secure, it was all about Cahill as he came on in a prearranged farewell in front of his home fans in Sydney.
Widely considered as the “Greatest Socceroo”, he couldn’t add to his goal-scoring tally but was given a huge ovation and handed the captain’s armband.
“It’s the first time I’ve cried on a football field and I’m proud of it,” he said after the final whistle, wiping away tears.
“Every time I’ve pulled on the green and gold, I’ve played with my heart. Thank you, Australia. To all my teammates and the staff I have worked with, I would be nothing without you.”
The 38-year-old, whose career was characterised by an indefatigable work rate and huge determination, last played for the Socceroos when he came off the bench for their final group game against Peru at the World Cup.
“People thought it was going to be a distraction, but there was no distraction at all. It was special night,” said Arnold.
“You won’t see another Tim Cahill in my lifetime. He’s a freak. He’s had a fantastic career and it’s been a pleasure to work with him.”
Born in Sydney to a Samoan mother, Cahill started his international
career playing for the Western Samoa U20s and only became a Socceroo in 2004 after an intense lobbying campaign to world body Fifa.
Two years later in Germany, he became the first Australian to net a goal at the World Cup, going on to score in the 2010 and 2014 tournaments as well.