Cahill: Bring on the Germans
(FIFA.com) Wednesday 28 April 2010
(FIFA.com) Wednesday 28 April 2010
Tim Cahill has a knack of being in the right place at the right time. It is an uncanny skill that's earned him superstar status in his native Australia, and adoration among the throng of Everton fans who delight in the frequency of his corner flag-punching goal celebration.
The versatile midfielder's uncanny ability to spring a surprise earned him a place in Australian folklore four years ago, when he scored his country's maiden FIFA World Cup™ goal and then hit another to help claim a last-gasp victory over Japan and a place in the Round of 16. That was as far as Cahill and his team-mates were to go, though, as Francesco Totti's injury-time penalty for Italy tore their dream to shreds.
Memories of Germany are assured for Cahill this time around, too, as the three-time world champions pose the first threat to Australia's ambitions in South Africa. It's a match that could threaten Pim Verbeek's side's pursuit of success, but as the 30-year-old enjoys a renaissance at Goodison Park after a ponderous start to the Premier League campaign, he's anxious to shoot down German hopes and write a new chapter in the Socceroos' history books.As one of the biggest summers of his life edges ever closer, FIFA.com spoke to Cahill about the challenge of overcoming Germany, his reputation as Australia's secret weapon and, as a UNICEF ambassador, what he hopes the FIFA World Cup will do for South Africa.
FIFA.com: Tim, what are your memories of watching the FIFA World Cup as a boy?Tim Cahill: As a kid, for me, it was Roberto Baggio kicking that penalty over the bar (at USA 1994) and (Toto) Schillaci making a name for himself (at Italy 1990), scoring for Italy every time he had the chance. I used to try and emulate players like Bebeto and Romario, too. I like watching players like Bebeto and Schillaci, opportunist players who seize the moment, do something different and make something happen.
You 'seized the moment' in the game against Japan at Germany 2006, but how disappointed were you to be on the bench?Oh yes, I was very disappointed, but looking back on it now, we had such a good squad that I can see why the manager [Guus Hiddink] made his decision. Plus, it allowed me to achieve one of the greatest things in my life: coming off the bench to score two score twice, including Australia's first-ever World Cup goal. So in hindsight, there are no regrets.
The versatile midfielder's uncanny ability to spring a surprise earned him a place in Australian folklore four years ago, when he scored his country's maiden FIFA World Cup™ goal and then hit another to help claim a last-gasp victory over Japan and a place in the Round of 16. That was as far as Cahill and his team-mates were to go, though, as Francesco Totti's injury-time penalty for Italy tore their dream to shreds.
Memories of Germany are assured for Cahill this time around, too, as the three-time world champions pose the first threat to Australia's ambitions in South Africa. It's a match that could threaten Pim Verbeek's side's pursuit of success, but as the 30-year-old enjoys a renaissance at Goodison Park after a ponderous start to the Premier League campaign, he's anxious to shoot down German hopes and write a new chapter in the Socceroos' history books.As one of the biggest summers of his life edges ever closer, FIFA.com spoke to Cahill about the challenge of overcoming Germany, his reputation as Australia's secret weapon and, as a UNICEF ambassador, what he hopes the FIFA World Cup will do for South Africa.
FIFA.com: Tim, what are your memories of watching the FIFA World Cup as a boy?Tim Cahill: As a kid, for me, it was Roberto Baggio kicking that penalty over the bar (at USA 1994) and (Toto) Schillaci making a name for himself (at Italy 1990), scoring for Italy every time he had the chance. I used to try and emulate players like Bebeto and Romario, too. I like watching players like Bebeto and Schillaci, opportunist players who seize the moment, do something different and make something happen.
You 'seized the moment' in the game against Japan at Germany 2006, but how disappointed were you to be on the bench?Oh yes, I was very disappointed, but looking back on it now, we had such a good squad that I can see why the manager [Guus Hiddink] made his decision. Plus, it allowed me to achieve one of the greatest things in my life: coming off the bench to score two score twice, including Australia's first-ever World Cup goal. So in hindsight, there are no regrets.
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