Socceroos fans flock to catch Tim Cahill’s cameo last stand

On a night set aside to celebrate Tim Cahill’s final appearance for the Socceroos, it was a player making his starting debut who got the accolades.

Tim Cahill of Australia warms up before kick-off in the International Friendly Match between the Australian Socceroos and Lebanon — the legendary Socceroo’s last appearance in the green and gold. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty

It was supposed to be all about an Australian soccer legend but it was a player born in Scotland who had never foot inside the country until 10 days ago who stole the show at ANZ Stadium last night.

On a night set aside to celebrate Tim Cahill’s final appearance for the Socceroos, it was Martin Boyle who got the accolades in his starting debut for the Socceroos with a brace of first half goals as he helped steer them to a comfortable 3-0 win in a friendly over Lebanon.

Martin Boyle of Australia contests the ball. Picture: Getty

On an occasion he will remember for a long time to come, he also provided the assist for substitute Mathew Leckie, who had only been on the field two minutes, to score.

Still, it was that man Cahill the 33,268-strong crowd had come to see and the chant for him to come on started about 20 minutes from full-time. The fans were on their feet roaring with approval when he started to warm up with 15 minutes to go.

And the noise was deafening when he finally made it on to the field with the every man, woman and child giving him a standing ovation as he came on with nine minutes to go.

And to add another layer to the farewell, Cahill was handed the captaincy for the final five minutes of the game with Trent Sainsbury handing him the armband when he was substituted.

Unfortunately, Cahill could not find that final goal to add to his record 50 for the national team, but he has left a lasting memory and a record that will take some beating.

In the end, Cahill or not, the Australians were too good for the 82nd ranked Lebanese in what was nothing more than a training run.

The Socceroos set out playing a high tempo game and used the speed of Boyle and Awer Mabil to great effect as they exploited the Lebanese down both flanks.

Mustafa Amini, one of seven changes to the side that drew with South Korea on Saturday night, was also influential in the middle of the park. Much of the home side attack started from him.

The visitors were intent on sitting back in large numbers and trying to hit the Australians in transition. But, by and large, they were virtual prisoners inside their own half.

They offered some resistance until Boyle opened the scoring on 16 minutes. He collected the ball on the left and then darted in field, shaping to shoot, then dummying before firing off a thunderous shot that took a wicked deflection off a defender on the way into the net.

The Socceroos doubled their lead in the 41st minute when Boyle added his second. Aaron Mooy’s corner from the right was headed against the crossbar but fell kindly to Boyle who had a simple first time tap in from five metres.

With his teammates forming a guard of honour, Cahill walked up to a special presentation with his family by his side in what was a touching and emotional moment.

Speaking at the presentation, a near tearful Cahill, with his children by his side, thanked his family, especially his parents, for the “sacrifices they made” for him to pursue his dream of being a footballer.

“You did everything for me and I will always be grateful,” he said. “Secondly, thank you to my teammates and all the staff I have worked with, the coaches and the players because without you guys I’d be nothing. The coaches, the palyers not here, thank you from the bottom of the heart.

“And now it is all about the fans.

“I played with my heart and never left anything on the pitch and I just want to say this is very much for all of you as it is for me.”

🙌🏽👏🏼 #THANKSAUSTRALIA https://t.co/esLJOiJ1ZZ

— TIM CAHILL (@Tim_Cahill) November 20, 2018

My last ever training session for my country ⚽️🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/Z8MnV9F5Pg

— TIM CAHILL (@Tim_Cahill) November 19, 2018