Socceroos v Syria: Striker Tim Cahill ready to push Australia further down road of World Cup qualification
HE’S still the one the crowd wants to see, and still the player the opposition fears the most.
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HE’S still the one the crowd wants to see, and still the player the opposition fears the most.
At 37, Tim Cahill still has milestones in his sights, for himself and for his team. But none figures so highly as helping to push the Socceroos closer to the World Cup by defeating Syria on Wednesday night.
Cahill looks set to start, after a strong hint from coach Ange Postecoglou that his talisman will get the chance to hunt down the two goals he needs to reach 50 for his country.
Five of the 48 he has so far have been scored in his home city, and adding to that would go a long way to ensuring the Socceroos get past Syria, and earn a final playoff next month for a place at the World Cup in Russia next year.
It would also deaden any questions over his future at international level, and ensure Postecoglou remains at the helm, in a match with so much at stake.
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But it’s not just his goals that matter. His presence on the pitch will draw defenders from other players; and amid the tension of such a vital occasion, his experience in camp is second to none.
“Everyone knows Tim’s passion for the national team,” said Mark Milligan. “It’s nothing new, he’s been doing it for a long time. Apart from his incredible ability on the pitch, his ability to drive others as well has always been there.
“He hasn’t lost that. We see it day by day. It doesn’t just help us on game day, it’s something that happens continually.”
Milligan will also be central to the team, likely to sit in midfield and dictate the tempo. Celtic playmaker Tom Rogic is the other wildcard for Postecoglou, kept in mothballs during last week’s 1-1 draw in the first leg but certain to start as Australia aims to attack from the off.