Tim Cahill Bio Send To Friend  

Lucky charm, talisman, golden boy&call him what you will, Cahill has grown to become the most important cog in the Australian machine. A player with unique abilities that cannot be taught, the midfielder's goal-scoring feats have elevated him to legendary status with his country - and he's hardly unloved by the Everton fans as well.

Born with a gift to be in the right place at the right time in the opposition penalty area, Cahill has an international goal rate of more than one every two games  figures that would make most strikers jealous. After growing up in Sydney, he signed with Millwall as a teenager, and grew to prominence in that club's dream run to the FA Cup Final in 2003-04. A transfer to the blue half of Liverpool ensued, where he has scored freely in the Premier League ever since, including multiple times in the Merseyside derby.

One of those players with a knack of scoring important goals, Cahill has the honour of notching Australia's first ever World Cup strikes, and also the Socceroos' first Asian Cup goal. Australia have never lost when Cahill has scored. His two-goal heroics against Japan in Germany 2006 have gone down in Australian football folklore. Attributes include spring-loaded heels that help the sub-six footer score his share of headers and an ability to drift unmarked into the box in both general play and on set pieces. He can sense exactly where the ball will be and can finish expertly with both feet. Despite not fitting the natural mould of a playmaker, Cahill is first pick behind the lone striker in Pim Verbeek's 4-2-3-1 system.

Strengths: Finishes like a striker, without peer in positional instinct, can work back and tackle between the boxes and is also fiercely competitive, loyal and passionate about club and country.

Weaknesses: Doesn't possess the creative passing game a modern attacking midfielder should, meaning a team's general play can suffer between the inevitable goals he will bring.

Career high: Scored not one but two critical goals in the dying minutes of Australia's 2006 World Cup opener against Japan, claiming victory from the jaws of defeat.

Career low: Drew criticism for celebrating a goal with his wrists in a handcuffed position after his brother Sean had been jailed for physical assault.

Style: Courageous, confident, determined, with a sprinkle of class.

Quotes: "I have huge respect for guys like Mark Bosnich, Ray Baartz, Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell, John Kosmina and whoever else you want to name. But, for me, Cahill is a phenomenal talent and stands above all of them. He is miles ahead." Australia 1974 World Cup coach Rale Rasic, October 2008.

Trivia: Cahill's customary corner flag-punching goal celebration is borrowed from good friend Archie Thompson, while he has dedicated others to his jailed brother, Australian supporters, the Victorian bushfire victims, and the Samoan people affected by the 2009 floods.

Soccernet says: Cahill's importance to the Australian cause cannot be overstated, given his gift for scoring crucial goals no matter how well (or badly) the team is playing.