Socceroos welcome legend Tim Cahill back into the fold

Graham Arnold’s selection headaches will become clearer in coming days as Australia’s Qatar experience shifts into overdrive amid an injury cloud hanging over star attacker Martin Boyle.

Australia's coach Graham Arnold and Socceroos legend Tim Cahill talk at training. Picture: AFP.

Graham Arnold’s selection headaches will become clearer in coming days as Australia’s Qatar experience shifts into overdrive amid an injury cloud hanging over star attacker Martin Boyle.

And then there’s Australia’s secret weapon in Doha, with Tim Cahill inspiring a new-look attacking squadron intent on igniting Australia’s World Cup.

The last remaining Socceroos arrived in Doha late on Monday night to give Arnold a near full complement of players, with attacker Boyle continuing his rehab on a knee injury that forced him to miss Monday’s session.

As the Socceroos came together in dribs and drabs over the weekend, Arnold put them through their paces at the magnificent $1.3 billion Aspire Academy facilities in Doha.

He is expected to take Australia’s preparations up a notch with a crucial team meeting on Tuesday as the countdown begins ahead of the Socceroos’ opening Group D fixture against France next Wednesday morning (AEDT).

Arnold believes Australia’s best chance of causing an upset against the defending champions is through their physicality – and playing as ‘11 boxing kangaroos”.

“Definitely been one of the main topics is our physicality running them into the ground and not backing down,” said striker Mitch Duke, who is favoured to start against France.

“He hasn’t had the chance to really bring us all together yet and really get a clear message across (yet).

“(But) once all the boys are here, I think tomorrow you’ll have a meeting and get certain points across and then we start preparing for France.”

Cahill, the chief sports officer at the Aspire Academy, who has joined the Socceroos as head of delegation, looms as a crucial cog in Arnold’s support staff through this campaign.

Cahill remains the last Socceroo to score from open play at a World Cup – via his thunderous volley against the Netherlands in 2014 – but he’s imparting wisdom on the current Australian set-up to pass on some secrets and ensure that drought comes to an end this month.

“He’s awesome to be able to actually work with – the greatest goalscorer for the Australia national team,” Duke said.

“For me, being a striker myself, he’s given me some great pointers and helping me prepare.

“To get that kind of one-on-one time with such a legend is priceless, and I’m definitely soaking it all in and trying to learn as much as I can in a short period of time, because if it benefits me, it benefits the national team.

“He’s very much a natural leader. He gives advice – it just spills out of his mouth, I don’t think he can help it.

“He just loves it. He loves the game. He’s obviously a very proud Aussie himself, and he’s still fit enough to kick about as well which is awesome.”