Asian Cup final: Tim Cahill fails to produce more big-game magic but it doesn’t matter

HE loves the big occasions, but for once Tim Cahill didn’t find himself on the scoresheet in one as the Socceroos were crowned kings of Asia.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Tim Cahill of Australia kisses the Asian Cup Trophy after the 2015 Asian Cup final match between Korea Republic and the Australian Socceroos at ANZ Stadium on January 31, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

HE loves the big occasion, but for once Tim Cahill didn’t find himself on the scoresheet during it.

His appearance in the Asian Cup final lasted just 64 minutes before he was forced off with what appeared to be a foot injury he picked up in the first half.

The question now for the Socceroos is whether that will be his final appearance for Australia, despite his phenomenal showing in the green and gold, especially over the last year as the team has transitioned under Ange Postecolgou.

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Tim Cahill of Australia kisses the Asian Cup Trophy.

He was part of the old regime, and he is front and centre of the new one.

Cahill received a standing ovation from the 76,000 strong crowd at Stadium Australia as he walked to the bench and warmly embraced Tomi Juric, who came on to replace him.

It was in the 25th minute of the game that Cahill took a knock when, typically, he turned a half chance into a full one. The ball moved from Mark Milligan to Robbie Kruse, who then found Cahill in the box. The Socceroos star took a sharp stab at it, but South Korea’s goalkeeper Kim Jin-hyeon managed to save it.

Tim Cahill laps it up with fans.

It was a good chance, but Cahill limped to the corner flag, apparently in distress - though it seemed minor at the time.

As usual, he was full of energy, sprinting down the pitch to help out at the back when he was needed.

Towards the end of the first half, when the Socceroos were under intense pressure from South Korea, he rose to clear the danger with a powerful header.

The high regard opponents hold Cahill in has been evident all tournament, with teams going out of their way to get him off the ball, at times leaving other players unmarked. The same was true for South Korea, whose players swarmed Cahill every time he got near the ball.

Originally published as Asian Cup final: Tim Cahill fails to produce more big-game magic but it doesn’t matter