Stand-in Socceroos skipper Tim Cahill says he doesn’t need an armband to be a leader at the Asian Cup.
Coach Ange Postecoglou confirmed the talismanic forward will lead the side in Sydney for Australia’s second group game against Oman on Tuesday after captain Mile Jedinak was ruled out with an ankle injury.
“I don’t really want to put too much emphasis on it because Mile is our captain,” said Cahill, who captained Australia once before against South Africa in Sydney last year.
“Me and Bresc (Mark Bresciano) help lead the side on and off the park, so I’ve never needed an armband to lead this team.
“It’s a massive honour and something that is great in my career to have, but it’s a great responsibility that I will make sure I deliver in the right way.”
Don’t expect the 35-year-old to show any emotion as he leads his team out in his 78th senior international, where a win would secure Australia’s passage to the quarter-finals.
“I love playing for Australia regardless of which country I’m in, but to play at home in front of my hometown fans and family and friends is very special.” Cahill said.
“But with me, not a lot of emotion comes into it when I cross the white line.
“It’s going to be a massive game for us because three points for either team changes the tide to where the group is and for us there’s a lot on the line, so we just want to do our country proud and do really well.”
Cahill said the Socceroos respected Oman highly.
“We know that they’ve got a great squad and a coach that has been with them for a very long time,” Cahill said.
“So the familiarity for their team and of their players playing together, they’ve got the upper hand there.
“But when it comes to us, we just have to focus on ourselves. We’ve trained well, we’ve had a great start. We know this is going to be a difficult opposition.”
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Even though St.Pauli ultimately lost a high-scoring affair, Jackson Irvine was a standout, as well as scoring a late goal.
What if we celebrated all of the achievements big and small, and weeded out those hell-bent on bringing down a game that is doing a hell of a lot right?
A good performance from Michael Ruhs, scoring twice to beat Macarthur and doubling his season goal tally in the process.
Nestory Irankunda has sensationally rejected the chance to play at the Paris Olympics this June after a late bid from the Olyroos to include…
Mathew Ryan's tenure at AZ Alkmaar appears to be over, as the Eredivisie side are seemingly moving on from the 93-time Socceroo. The decision…
One down 49 to go. Socceroos striker Kusini Yengi raised some eyebrows this week when he declared himself to be the talisman striker the…
