Asian Cup 2015: Socceroo Tim Cahill has been scoring international goals for over 10 years
TIM Cahill has been scoring goals for five Socceroos coaches for more than 10 years. From World Cups to Asian Cups and friendlies, here are all 39 in detail.
REMEMBER when we thought Damien Mori’s 29 Socceroos goals would never be eclipsed?
Well, Tim Cahill has now not only beaten it but blown it away.
The 35-year-old’s brace against China in the Asian Cup quarter-final in Brisbane on Thursday night took his international tally to 39.
And there promises to be more to come, especially as this tournament progresses.
Cahill has been knocking goals in for five Socceroos coaches since mid 2004.
He has found the net against countries from every Confederation and is the only player to score in three consecutive World Cups and Asian Cups.
It’s a storybooked career.
Here are all his goals in detail.
May 31, 2004 — Australia 9, Tahiti 0
Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
OFC Nations Cup
Cahill 14’, 47’
The then 25-yar-old made his starting debut for Frank Farina’s side and was rewarded with a double against admittedly lightweight opposition. Mile Stejovski scored a hat-trick.
June 2, 2004 — Australia 6, Fiji 1
Marden Sports Complex, Adelaide
OFC Nations Cup
Cahill 39’, 66’, 75’
A taste of what he brings to any side. Cahill’s only international hat-trick and they all came from his head. “I can’t use my feet,” he joked. Coach Frank Farina said Cahill’s ability to chime in with goals added a dimension to the Socceroos. “That’s Tim’s strength, making good runs into the box, he’s a goal-scoring midfielder, as you can all see obviously. He makes great late runs.”
June 6, 2004 — Australia 2, Solomon Islands 2
Hinmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
OFC Nations Cup
Cahill 50’
Six goals came in these World Cup qualifiers alone. The Socceroos had Cahill to thank for avoiding embarrassment in this game. He struck an equaliser after Commins Menapi had given Solomon Islands the lead.
November 16, 2004 — Australia 2, Norway 2
Craven Cottage, London
Friendly
Cahill 44’
A game where he came of age of the international stage. “He was superb tonight, there’s no doubt about that,” Farina said. “He’s set the Premier League alight with Everton this year and he’s carried it on tonight.”
September 3, 2005 — Australia 7, Solomon Islands 0
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
World Cup qualifier
Cahill 57’
This was the Mark Viduka show but Cahill played his part by knocking in their fourth goal.
June 4, 2006 — Australia 1, Netherlands 1
De Kuip, Rotterdam
Friendly
Cahill ‘54
The Socceroos warmed up for the World Cup with an impressive draw. Cahill got on the scoresheet after following up Mark Viduka’s penalty which had hit the crossbar.
June 12, 2006 — Australia 3, Japan 1
Fritz Walter Stadion, Kaiserslautern
World Cup
Cahill 84’, 89’
Two of his most famous goals for sure. He scrambled in an equaliser for Australia’s first ever World Cup goal before unleashing a spectacular strike to give them the lead five minutes later.
July 8, 2007 — Australia 1, Oman 1
Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok
Asian Cup
Cahill 90+2’
With the Socceroo’s Asian Cup hopes ebbing away, Cahill stepped up to smack home a late equaliser.
February 6, 2008 — Australia 3, Qatar 0
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
World Cup Qualifier
Cahill ‘17
Even under an injury cloud, Cahill stepped up to deliver for the national team. Nursing a hamstring injury, Cahill scored the second as Australia wrapped up this game by half-time.
October 15, 2008 — Australia 4, Qatar 0
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
World Cup Qualifier
Cahill 8’
Coach Pim Verbeek before this game extolled the virtues of Cahill. “Of course we know how important he is because he can score goals. That’s one. Second, if I am a defender, and I have to play against Timmy Cahill, I’m sure I have a difficult time. He will impress the opponent because they know how good he is.” He responded with the opening goal.
June 17, 2009 — Australia 2, Japan 1
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
World Cup Qualifier
Cahill 59’, 77’
The Cahill curse came back to haunt Japan. He scored with a trademark header and then scrambled in the winner to giver the Socceroos a vital win.
August 12, 2009 — Australia 3, Republic of Ireland 0
Thomand Park, LImmerick
Friendly
Cahill 39’, 44’
Another dominant Cahill performance in Europe and coach Pim Verbeek quipped: “I’m just glad that Tim was on the pitch for us.”
October 14, 2009 — Australia 1, Oman 0
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
Asian Cup Qualifier
Cahill ‘74
Timmy to the rescue again. Just when Oman were thinking of escaping with a point, Cahill rose to the occasion by heading in the winner.
June 5, 2010 — Australia 1, USA 3
Ruimsig Stadium, Roodepoort
Friendly
Cahill ‘19
This was a warm-up game for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and Cahill’s goal was the only shining light of a pretty poor performance.
June 23, 2010 — Australia 2, Serbia 1
Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
World Cup
Cahill 69’
After the debacle against Germany, the Socceroos hit back in style against Serbia, with Cahill opening the scoring midway through the second half. He was perhaps later lucky not to concede a penalty for handball.
January 11, 2011 — Australia 4, India 0
Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha
Asian Cup
Cahill 11’, 65’
Cahill grabbed another brace against the Asian minnows in their first group game — and realistically could have had two or three more such was the Socceroos domination.
August 11, 2011 — Australia 2, Wales 1
Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff
Friendly
Cahill 44’
Cahill struck with an impressive volley from close range to give the Socceroos the lead in Cardiff.
September 6, 2012 — Australia 3, Lebanon 0
Saida International Stadium, Sidon
Friendly
Cahill 20’
A man for all season and continents. The Socceroos played a warm-up before a World Cup qualifier and Cahill scored the opener and was the dominant force in the game.
October 16, 2012 — Australia 2, Iraq 1
Grand Hamad Stadium, Doha
World Cup Qualifier
Cahill 80’
How many late goals has Cahill converted for the Socceroos? They were certainly indebted to him here as he grabbed an equaliser in Doha as Iraq pressed for an unlikely win.
March 26, 2013 — Australia 2, Oman 2
Stadium Australia, Sydney
World Cup Qualifier
Cahill 52’
Poor, old Oman! They have had a nightmare trying to contain Cahill and they conceded another one here. Oman were amazingly 2-0 up but Cahill was rampant and could have scored more than one.
June 11, 2013 — Australia 4, Jordan 0
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
World Cup Qualifier
Cahill 61’
Another header! Robbie Kruse was the star of this game but it’s hard to keep Cahill out of the headlines.
November 19, 2013 — Australia 1, Costa Rica 0
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Friendly
Cahill 69’
Ange Postecoglou’s first game in charge and Cahill came off the bench to nod in the winner, via a huge deflection.
March 5, 2014 — Australia 3, Ecuador 4
The Den, London
Friendly
Cahill 8’, 32’
Amazingly, Australia went 3-0 up as Cahill struck with an early brace, both headers. He was also brought down for Australia’s penalty, which Mile Jedinak converted.
May 26, 2014 — Australia 1, South Africa 1
Stadium Australia, Sydney
Friendly
Cahill 14’
Cahill scored another header with an incredible leap as the Socceroos warmed up for the World Cup with this uninspiring draw.
June 13, 2014 — Australia 1, Chile 3
Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá
World Cup
Cahill 35’
What a surprise, another header! The then-34-year-old outjumped Gary Medel to head the ball past the goalkeeper after a looping cross from Ivan Franjic. “With my goal, once I get the ball in that area, I know where I’m putting the ball,” he said. “That was 100 per cent going in and it just felt great.”
June 18, 2014 — Australia 2, Netherlands 3
Estádio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre
World Cup
Cahill 21’
Who could forget this one? An exquisite first-time volley that stunned the world and was shortlisted for goal of the year. “That’s what it’s all about, defining moments,” Cahill said. “It’s another one in my career and I’m really proud of it.”
September 8, 2014 — Australia 3, Saudi Arabia 2
Craven Cottage, London
Friendly
Cahill 3’
Cahill struck early and was a constant menace for the Saudi defence.
November 18, 2014 — Australia 1, Japan 2
Nagai Stadium, Osaka
Friendly
Cahill 90’
Cahill came off the bench to head in a consolation goal but he had the Japanese defence under pressure and could have scored more.
January 9, 2015 — Australia 4, Kuwait 1
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Asian Cup
Cahill 33’
Cahill lashed in an equaliser to cancel out Kuwait’s shock opener.
January 22, 2015 — Australia 2, China 0
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Asian Cup
Cahill 48’, 65’
And finally this important brace. I believed we were going to win and I knew I was going to score. You have to believe in yourself. It’s a special night for all of us.’’