Asian Cup 2015: Socceros star Tim Cahill relaxed and ready to play big part in tournament

TIM Cahill says he feels no pressure being the Socceroos pin-up boy in a tournament he believes Iran and Japan are Australia’s major rivals.

Tim Cahill and the Socceroos training at Olympic Park, Melbourne. Picture: Steve Tanner

RECORD Socceroos goalscorer Tim Cahill says he feels no pressure being the team’s pin-up boy in a tournament he believes Iran and Japan are Australia’s major rivals.

Belgian-based pair James Troisi and Mat Ryan and Brisbane Roar’s Matt McKay headlined Monday’s new arrivals, with Matthew Spiranovic, Tomi Juric and Nathan Burns arriving on Sunday night to beef up the squad to 18.

Tim Cahill sees Iran and Japan as Australia’s main threat.

Cahill was among the main group whose training load intensified from day one during the hour-long session at Olympic Park.

But talisman Cahill, who turned 35 three weeks ago, said he didn’t feel pressure, whether he started or not in next month’s Asian Cup.

“Nothing, I feel no pressure. I’m relaxed,’’ Cahill said.

“Marketing only comes when you’re playing good on the pitch or producing actions.

“It’s a massive tournament, the pressure is whether I play 20 minutes or 90 minutes, how I affect the game.

“My mindset is relaxed. I don’t expect to play every single game, I’m here to be part of a team and trying to win something.

“In Japan (the last friendly), before the game I had a feeling I wasn’t going to start but when you come on you try to affect the game.

“I know I’m not going to play seven 90 minutes (full games).’’

UK-based quartet Mile Jedinak, Chris Herd, Massimo Luongo and Jason Davidson and Turkey-based Aziz Behich will all join the squad on Tuesday after playing league games over the wekend, but all got through unscathed.

The Socceroos take on Kuwait in their Asian Cup opener on January 9, before tackling Oman and Korea.

But Cahill felt the tournaments favourites came from rival groups.

“Iran and Japan. There’s a few dark horses, but I thought the way Iran performed in the World Cup was pretty special,’’ he said.

“But it’s best we just concentrate on ourselves. We’ve got three group games and we have to be ruthless.

“It’s the final third, if we’re ruthless then teams aren’t going to know what’s hit them.

“We have the potential to win. The key is to get a great win against Kuwait.’’

TIM CAHILL FACTFILE

Age: 35

Club: New York Red Bulls

Socceroos profile

Debut: Australia v South Africa, March 2004

Games: 76

Goals: 36

Honours:

2004 Oceania footballer of the Year

2006 First Australian to score at World Cup

2007 First Australian to score at Asian Cup

Socceroos’ record goalscorer

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Socceros star Tim Cahill relaxed and ready to play big part in tournament