Tim Cahill’s Socceroos cameo not uppermost in Graham Arnold’s mind

Tim Cahill’s Socceroos swan song has been an afterthought for coach Graham Arnold.

Socceroos veteran Tim Cahill at ANZ Stadium where he will represent Australia for the last time, in a friendly against Lebanon. Picture: Toby Zerna

Tim Cahill’s Socceroos swan song has been an afterthought for coach Graham Arnold as he prepares to gather invaluable intelligence in Australia’s last hitout before the Asian Cup.

The coach will tinker with his line-up for the Socceroos’ friendly with Lebanon tomorrow night in the absence of regulars Tom Rogic (knee) and Robbie Kruse (groin).

Arnold said Cahill’s five-minute cameo before home fans at ANZ Stadium was a “just reward for a great career” but his focus was elsewhere.

“The first 85 minutes is all about our performance,” he said. “There are no friendly games. The last five minutes can be for Timmy or the last two minutes can be for Timmy. It’s all about us and preparing.”

Fringe players could go a long way to earning a ticket to the UAE, with Arnold yet to settle on the side he’ll take to defend Australia’s 2015 title early next year.

“There’s still half a dozen positions up for grabs,” he said. “Tomorrow night is an opportunity for those players to show not only myself but the country that they’re hungry and they want selection for the Asian Cup.”

Josh Risdon believes A-League players can force their way into the national team under new coach Arnold.

Risdon was the only player from Australia’s domestic competition in the Socceroos’ squad for Saturday’s friendly against South Korea in Brisbane.

The Western Sydney full back didn’t look out of place however, and was arguably man of the match as Australia snatched a last-gasp 1-1 draw.

Adelaide’s Craig Goodwin and Sydney FC’s Rhyan Grant have been added to the squad for tomorrow’s clash. Risdon said the appointment of Arnold — who has spent the majority of his coaching career at the helm of Central Coast or Sydney FC — is a good one for locally based players.

“He knows what it’s like,” Risdon said.

“Obviously there’s a few boys now in the squad who are from the A-League and done well this season.

“If you put your hand up and are doing well in the A-League you deserve your spot in the national team.”

The 26-year-old defender’s form for the national team has many tipping him for a move overseas sooner rather than later. It’s clearly something Risdon aspires too but he said he isn’t in a rush as he prepares for Australia’s Asian Cup defence.

“All I can do really is just play well every game and then my chance will come to go overseas,” he said.

“When that does come, if it’s the right move for my career, then I’ll definitely consider it.” For now Risdon is just relishing the freedom he’s been granted in the new Socceroos set-up.

With Arnold pushing his wingers into a more inside forward role, Risdon basically had the freedom of the right flank against South Korea and nearly notched his first international goal when a first-half strike was deflected narrowly wide.

“As a fullback he wants us to get really high and getting those runs and balls into the box,” Risdon said.

“That’s really enjoyable, the way I want to play. I like going forward a lot. It’s a lot of work but I really enjoy it.”

AAP