Tim Cahill announced his retirement at the age of 39 in 2019.
He ended his career having contributed 50 goals in 108 matches for the Australia national team, while his last club was Jamshedpur in the Indian Super League. He would evenutally retire to pursue other interests away from soccer.
Cahill made a name for himself and performed well throughout his career. Here are some of his milestones and most significant moments.
Tim Cahill’s Career and Milestones
Cahill did many things throughout his career, showing his skill. He was known for his ability to score, a quality that fans and those using a Smart Betting Guide would recognize as crucial. He had a lengthy and successful career in England and earned multiple achievements in Australia. The latter is especially vital in making him one of the respected players internationally.
Cahill started his football journey at Millwall, where he played an important role, especially during the 2003-04 FA Cup run. He later moved to Everton, where he scored numerous goals in the Premier League. His performances in the Merseyside Derby further established his career, making him a popular pick among crypto betting sites where detailed player stats can influence wagering.
Cahill flaunted his skill in the 2008-09 season by playing as the only striker for most of the season due to a series of injuries. He bagged nine goals and became the team’s top scorer that year. He became captain in Phil Neville's stead during the 2009-10 season.
Cahill then produced many firsts during his time playing for Australia. Whenever Cahill scored, Australia never lost. Cahill always finished like a striker and was highly versatile during plays. He’s known for his fierce competitiveness and deep passion for both his country and club. Another popular skill that Cahill often showcased was his ball handling mid-air.
Greatest Moments
Looking back, Tim Cahill had done multiple impressive acts that brought him recognition throughout his career. Amongst his achievements, here are his top moments that most fans still remember today.
FIFA World Cup 2006
The Socceroos’ performance against Japan in the 2006 FIFA World Cup was a historic moment. It was their return to the FIFA World Cup after 32 years, and Cahill became a notable name through this match. His goals were dramatic, especially his second goal, which brought the score to 3-1 in favour of Australia.
It was a match where Cahill contributed two goals despite recovering from an injury. He was taken off the bench in the second half, with coach Guus Hiddink hoping his presence would give more strength to the Socceroos’ wilting attack.
They weren’t just two impressive goals; Tim Cahill’s performance gave Australia its first-ever win in the World Cup’s finals. It was the first time Australia scored a goal in a World Cup game.
His first goal was dramatic due to its messy position near the goal, yet he successfully scored. His second goal in that game was a remarkable shot that struck the post before finding the net. People following Cahill’s career would probably still remember the festivity following that event, especially the excited shout from commentator Simon Hill that made Cahill a hero at that moment.
FIFA World Cup 2014
The FIFA World Cup 2014 featured another impressive performance by Tim Cahill, which fans still remember. Cahill is known for his remarkable goals, but he surprised fans again when he played against the Dutch in Porto Alegre.
The skill Cahill showed just after Arjen Robben scored for the Netherlands was unforgettable, especially for Australian fans. Ryan McGowan sent a high ball into the box; it was the perfect chance for Cahill just inside the penalty area.
As Australia’s top goal scorer, Cahill struck an impressive volley, hitting the ball without stopping it, and his shot went powerfully past the goalkeeper and bounced off the crossbar into the goal. It was an incredible goal that nominated Cahill for the 2014 Puskas Award, and the moment remains as one of the best goals Australia has ever scored.
Before this goal, Cahill had already scored during their match against Chile, making him a player who had scored in three World Cups. Still, none of his previous performances could match the skill he had showcased during his volley goal. It has a high execution level, which would be very unlikely to happen, and it is one of the most complex skills to do with the left foot.
The 2014 World Cup showed some key stats from Cahill’s time with the Socceroos. He finished the tournament with a 29% shot conversion, 43% accuracy in shooting, and 86% passing accuracy. These numbers are Cahill’s highest among his four FIFA World Cup campaigns.
AFC Asian Cup 2015
Tim Cahill went viral again due to his bicycle kick during the AFC Asian Cup 2015. The Socceroos went against China, which proved a formidable opponent, so they needed to show something extraordinary.
Cahil decided to bring the change. The action began with Ivan Franjic, who delivered a high ball into the box. Initially, it didn’t seem like a threat, but Cahill went in with a scissor kick into the net.
The moment instantly became a sensation, just as popular as his volley at the FIFA World Cup. It also proved that his volley wasn’t a fluke, which had become a rumor among sports fans.
Cahill’s impact in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup went beyond just one moment. He scored another goal with a firm header to ensure China didn’t take the lead. Despite a challenging tournament, he played a key role in Australia’s championship win.
Hyundai A-League 2016
In 2016, Cahill signed with Melbourne City, and his first game in the Hyundai A-League drew plenty of attention and expectations.
Cahill met that expectation with a fantastic half-volley goal from 35 yards. He quickly scored a volley, lifting the ball past goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas and into the top corner. It was so impressive that Cahill earned the A-League Goal of the Year award for the 2016-17 season.
Since it was his first game, Cahill made an unforgettable start in the Hyundai A-League. That was just one of several impressive goals he scored that season. He scored 12 more goals throughout all the competitions he was in. One of the most famous ones is the goal he scored in the Westfield FFA Cup Final, which also brought his team to victory.
FIFA World Cup 2018
Australia faced Syria in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, aiming for a spot in the upcoming tournament in Russia. The first game against Syria ended in a 1-1 draw, so Australia must make a more powerful change to ensure they can gain a lead.
Syria put Australia in a tough spot in the second game in Sydney by taking the lead early. Cahill, again, became the hero in this episode. His goal brought the score to a tie, performing a header on a perfect cross from Mathew Leckie.
That’s not the only goal Cahill contributed; he also performed another powerful header that gave Australia the lead to ensure they kept their place in the World Cup. This second goal became Cahill’s 50th internationally, creating a significant career mark.
An Extraordinary Legacy
Cahill was a strong player who set many records throughout his career. Among his achievements, he became Australia’s oldest-ever goalscorer. His goal that helped claim the victory against Syria happened when he was 37 years and 308 days old.
He made history as the first Australian to score in both the Asian Cup and FIFA World Cup finals, and he holds the record for most goals by an Australian in the World Cup finals. His international career lasted 14 years, starting in March 2004 and ending in June 2018.
The 50 goals he scored for the Socceroos will always be remembered. Cahill scored 21 more goals than Damian Mori, another top scorer, and the only active player close to his record is Mile Jedinak.
If he had joined at least two other matches before he retired, he would have become an Australian player with the most international appearances. He represented Australia 108 times, ranking second behind his former teammate Mark Schwarzer, who had 109 appearances.
