Tim Cahill's farewell was mishandled

I reckon Graham Arnold and the Socceroos missed a trick on Tuesday night.

LEGEND: Tim Cahill will go down as one of Australian football's greats. Picture: Tim Ireland

OPINION:

I RECKON Graham Arnold and the Socceroos missed a trick on Tuesday night.

There's been a couple of giants of Australian football responsible for much of its growth.

Johnny Warren and Les Murray are just two that spring to mind.

But in terms of players who captured our imaginations and inspired kids to dream big, in the modern era, Tim Cahill stands above the rest.

In his 108 caps for the national team he forged a reputation as a big game player.

John Aloisi's 2005 penalty against Uruguay to send us back to the World Cup for the first time in 32 years may stand as the greatest example of stepping up in a crucial moment, but what Cahill did on the sport's greatest stage numerous times elevates him in my view.

FAREWELL: Socceroos star Tim Cahill pictured at ANZ Stadium where he will represent Australia for the last time in a friendly against Lebanon. Tim is the leading all time scorer with 50 goals. Picture: Toby Zerna

His two crucial goals against Japan in Germany dragged us from the brink of an early exit, to eventual progress to the knock-out stages.

And many will never forget his stunning volley against the Netherlands in Brazil in 2014.

Cahill has scored 50 times for Australia in his 108 appearances, having debuted as a 24-year-old.

Aside from that he forged a reputation as the English Premier League's most lethal aerial attacker during a stellar career with Everton.

Sir Alex Ferguson even lamented not signing him in his prime.

The trademark celebration we came to know and love has inspired countless Aussie kids to take up the round ball game.

TRADEMARK: Australia's Tim Cahill, right, scores another towering header against Syria during their World Cup qualifying match in Sydney, Australia, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. Picture: Rick Rycroft

After more than a decade of loyal service to the national team the superstar was given just nine minutes on Tuesday night to show the fans his talents.

Nine minutes in a meaningless friendly against Lebanon with the game well and truly sewn up.

What a shame.

The fans in that stadium and those glued to the television were watching for one reason.

To see Timmy play one last time in the green and gold.

Did we care whether we won or lost?

No.

We just wanted to see the bloke who'd given us so many memories, so many late nights watching our lads play in World Cups across the globe, go out there and do his thing one more time.

Unless he specifically asked to only get 10 minutes at the end I can't see any reason why he shouldn't have been given at least half an hour, if not more.

To me, leaving Cahill sitting there so long was disrespectful to him and the fans.

Did we care whether he had a shocker, wasn't up to it or embarrassed himself? No. We just wanted a chance to appreciate him again.

I know elite sport is a business now and sentiment shouldn't dictate decision-making, but every now and then you need to let the romance take over.

Redemption, fairytale stories, massive successes and epic failures are why people fall in love with sport.

Sometimes those within the game need to remember they were fans too. Farewell Timmy.