Tim Cahill’s wonder goal for Socceroos against China no accident

TIM Cahill believed that he had no option but to attempt the scissors kick when Ivan Franjic’s looping header entered the penalty area.

TIM Cahill believed that he had no option but to attempt the scissors kick when Ivan Franjic’s looping header entered the penalty area.

Just like his World Cup volley against the Netherlands, very few players would’ve attempted something so outrageous.

But the striker executed it with precision to send the 46,067 Suncorp Stadium crowd into shock, as Brisbane has joined Porto Alegre and Kaiserlautern as Cahill wonder goal destinations.

Australia’s record scorer has now scored 11 of the 40 major tournament goals and has become the first player to score in three World Cup and Asian Cups, while entering into the top 50 highest international scorers.

“It’s definitely up there. It’s a big tournament and it’s just amazing to show up when it counts,’’ Cahill said after the match.

“The ball was in the air, all I could see was the play. Chich (Franjic) had headed it back in and the main thing was just good contact, it’s all about the ball.

“I thought straight away there was nothing else I could do. It’s all instinct.

“When it fell I just wanted good contact and when I struck it I knew there was good contact and I turned around and it rippled the net and that was it.’’

Cahill had no idea China star Zheng Zhi was beside him on the deck after they collided seconds earlier as they attempted to head Mark Bresciano’s corner.

But just like he did against Chile to set up Cahill’s equaliser, Franjic gambled to get in front of opponent Wu Lei and headed the ball back into the danger zone, aka ‘the Cahill zone’.

“The ball came out and I was gambling to get in front of the number seven, I tried to hit it an area, away from the keeper,’’ Franjic said.

“I saw Timmy’s scissor and I thought did this really happen or not? Then I looked at the linesman, I thought it was off-side. It was a great goal then we celebrated.

“Every time I put a ball in Tim seems to be there, we must have a knack of finding each other.’’

Cahill’s second goal, just 17 minutes after his crucial opener just after the restart, was a top shelf header, but was overshadowed by his stunning opener.

“That’s my game. When you get an opportunity like that, you’ve got to take it,’’ he said.

“I don’t like wasting opportunities because I know how big an impact it makes on the team and I know the boys look toward me to do something.

“I feel that was another reward for our efforts.

“First half was very hard to find space, they contained me well.

“We knew we had to wear them out by moving the ball and they would tire, and when they did in the end I took my chances.

“I probably had four chances and scored two.

“The boss and the team believed in me and you reward good play with finishes like that.’’

Originally published as Tim Cahill’s wonder goal for Socceroos against China no accident