Tim Cahill has torched his MLS club New York Red Bulls, declaring international duty with the Socceroos as his top priority.
The veteran striker is set to play in a pair of international friendlies against the United Arab Emirates and Qatar in the coming week ahead of January’s Asian Cup in Australia, and the 34-year-old isn’t about to apologise for skipping out on his club’s playoff push.
“For me, [balancing club and country] doesn’t matter. It is what it is,” Cahill said.
“Coach makes the decision and he has to live by it. If [the Red Bulls] are upset that I go on international duty, I have stated before coming to this club that [Australia] was my main focus. It was stated to the MLS. It is what it is; I don’t make the FIFA dates the same as every other FIFA date. It’s a pleasure to play for your country.”
The Red Bulls currently sit fourth in the MLS Eastern Conference playoff standings, holding a one-point advantage over Columbus Crew in the fifth and final seed.
Cahill missed four matches earlier in the year as part of the Socceroos’ World Cup preparation, but doesn’t want to hear about how his latest decision may impact the club’s season.
“I am 34 now. I don’t need to worry about people [telling] me about international football,” Cahill added just days after receiving a red card in a 1-0 loss to Houston. “Likewise with the club, I had it at Everton, and David Moyes, one of the most influential managers in the world. If I could deal with it with him, no comment if it can’t be dealt with here.”
“Put yourself in my situation,” he added. “I am 34 years old. Went to a World Cup as the oldest player [for my team]. My country looks up to me to lead the team every time I play. Pivotal in qualifying. Pivotal in World Cup. Being a good ambassador. I led the line form the front last year here at New York Red Bulls every game. Put my body on the line numerous times and we won a Supporters’ Shield. The same I would do with my country.”
Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou has been ruthless in axing other well-established veterans in the past year- including Lucas Neill, Mark Schwarzer and Harry Kewell– making Cahill’s availability vital in each and every international friendly.
However the Red Bulls have slashed Cahill’s playing time in recent matches, a prerequisite for playing in Postecoglou’s side, resulting in just one 90-minute appearance in the last nine games.
“I apologize to the Red Bull fans, which some of them don’t really understand, my country means a hell of a lot to me like their own countries would if they were asked to represent their country,” he said.
“I just feel that trying to keep everyone happy obviously works against you, but at the end of the day, 17 years as a professional football player, playing international and three World Cups and my third Asia Cup, it is what it is now.”
Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
