Australian Football have again benefited from the wonder that is ‘Tim Cahill’, as the striker claimed both goals in a 2-0 win over China in the Asian Cup quarter-final on Thursday night at Suncorp Stadium.
A stunning 17 minutes early in the second half saw Tim Cahill net two goals leaving China speechless, booking the Socceroos a spot in the semi-finals at Newcastle on Tuesday.
The Aussies dominated the first half in possession with 77% and China waited for counter-attacking opportunities which were few and far between. The visitors only managed 85 passes to Australia’s 296.
The inclusion of captain Mile Jedinak added strength, confidence and composure to the midfield. The Crystal Palace captain played well and did not look troubled by the ankle injury that kept him out of the game against South Korea.
Matthew Leckie was again dangerous on the flanks, offering speed and precision crossing of the ball. Leckie almost netted his first goal for Australia with a powerful drive at the top left corner, only to force a solid save from China’s goalkeeper.
At halftime scores remained level and there were plenty of people concerned that it may have been one of those games when a team just ‘can’t score’. Tim Cahill has traditionally been the player to remove this doubt, and he delivered again in the 48th minute with an audacious overhead scissor kick to break the deadlock.
A Mark Bresciano corner was cleared from the box but quickly reinserted via the head of Ivan Franjic to an awaiting Cahill who wasted little time in setting himself and guiding the ball past the keepers right hand and into the corner.
“That man again, Tim Cahill, comes up with the goods,” commented captain Mile Jedinak after the match.
The crowd were ecstatic and were gifted another moment of excellence when a looping Jason Davidson cross from the left wing found the head of Cahill, who provided another clean finished for the second goal in the 69th minute.
“We know if we kept [our shape], especially in the first 10, 15 minutes in the second half, that we’d get our opportunities and that’s the way it panned out,” captain Jedinak said after the match.
“Overall, a fantastic team effort. Very disciplined, very organised and I am very proud of my team at the minute.”
Australia will most likely face defending champions Japan in next weeks semi-final. The ‘Blue Samurai’ play United Arab Emirates in a quarter-final on Friday. The Socceroos will welcome back defender Matthew Spiranovic who missed the match against China through suspension.
