Then there were two. As much of the Socceroos’ ‘Golden Generation’ settles into the history books, Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano continue to force new entries.
The pair and Mark Milligan remain the only two players still standing from the fabled 2006 World Cup; a new wave ushered in at the behest of Ange Postecoglou.
One of Australia’s greatest eras ended quite abruptly as Mark Schwarzer, Harry Kewell, Brett Holman, Lucas Neill and Luke Wilshire faded from the international spotlight, for various reasons.
The Socceroos headed to Brazil last year with a tailor made excuse to under-perform. Instead, it was the two veterans responsible for inspiring the contrary – Cahill front and centre with two memorable goals, Bresciano patrolling the midfield with his usual class.
Once again, the pressure will be on Cahill when the Socceroos’ Asian Cup campaign kicks off against Kuwait on Friday. He has long shouldered the goalscoring burden, bagging 10 international goals in 2014 alone. While the likes of Tomi Juric, Nathan Burns, James Troisi and Tommy Oar will be expected to step up this month, Cahill will be at the heart of Postecoglou’s attacking plans.
The benefit of having ample attacking options – including a front three of Robbie Kruse, Oar and Mathew Leckie – should allow Cahill to take more of a back seat than usual, but there is no shame in admitting he remains our most important player.
The 35-year-old’s movement off the ball makes him a constant nightmare for defences and Cahill has made it clear that he has no intention of handing over the baton just yet. Although it’s something he appears to be doing with his protege Terry Antonis.
Their long-term bond is a sign of both Cahill’s durability and the character he brings to this Socceroos side. A team in transition had cried out for leadership at the World Cup and the former Everton man delivered in abundance both on the pitch and off it.
There has never been any doubt over Cahill’s commitment to the Socceroos cause, his stature further solidified by his arduous preparation for the Cup.
“All I said was that I wanted a chance,” he told News Ltd. “Sometimes you need to know when to walk away, but I wasn’t ready to walk away.
“I made a decision to take my training regime to another level and it’s showed. I monitored my training, what I ate, every minute. I’ve got stricter with my diet, you need to as you get older. I’m 75 kilos – that’s how much I weighed when I was 17 and I joined Millwall.”
He could be lining up alongside another ageless teammate against Kuwait. Mark Bresciano has been a constant in the green and gold since making his debut against France in the 2001 Confederations Cup.
While he doesn’t have Cahill’s legs, the 34-year-old duly covers up the ground with one of the most talented football minds this country has seen and a first touch that gets fans weak at the knees.
In Brazil, Bresciano proved his vision is a step ahead of the rest and his ability to split a defence will make him a firm part of Postecoglou’s plans for the Asian Cup.
The Socceroos’ congested midfield stocks mean Bresciano will face stiff competition for a starting place, but he has potential to thrive alongside Massimo Luongo, James Troisi or even Nathan Burns in front of Mile Jedinak.
We have been hasty in hitting the panic button of late and become obsessed with finding replacements for the ‘golden generation’, but we should instead relish the fact that we have two brilliant players to call upon for the Cup.
After all, it could prove to be a swan song for Bresciano, who has conceded he will consider his international future following the tournament.
And you can bet he will be determined to go out with a bang.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
So pleased to hear that others think Bresciano left his retirement too late. Along with Fussie, I will make a bold prediction. If Bresciano gets on the field, he will have the final touch for Australia on at least 1 goal -- against the Socceroos. Probably a straightforward pass to the opposition who will score within a couple of kicks.
AR
Guest
Timmy's a competitor and a scorer. Right now, I'll take that. If we can open our account with a thrashing of Kuwait on Friday, the public mood will quickly change. Australia has shown time and again that we are a tournamant team. Save for 2010, we often perform better than most predictions. I'm cautiously hoping for the same here.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
You know my views, and you know I agree with you 100% on this point. Saint Timothy has always been a limited player, technically poor, etc, etc But...the little so-so continues standing tall and hitting the back of the net. So what can you say? Except go Timmy!
Realfootball
Guest
Ah yes, that goal - seven years is a long time in football. Agree that Bresh is past it. Fine player, but he's had his day. Which leaves Cahill. I do wish that the rose coloured glasses brigade would stop beatifying Cahill and look at the reality. Timmy is a massive problem, not an asset. 35, unwanted in the MLS. A bench player for Hiddink at his peak. Not a striker, incapable of making runs, technically poor. Cahill the key? I think not. The key will be the emergence of one of the younger players. If we are relying on Cahill, we are, quite bluntly and colloquially, screwed.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
"The pair and Mark Milligan remain the only two players still standing from the fabled 2006 World Cup..." Should that have been the only "three" players? "One of Australia’s greatest eras ended quite abruptly as Mark Schwarzer, Harry Kewell, Brett Holman, Lucas Neill and Luke Wilshire faded from the international spotlight..." If that comment is intended to be read in the context of the 2006 World Cup, then I don't think Brett Holman was part of that squad. Bresh is probably past it. Let us recall this wonderful moment from our qualifiers leading up to Australia's failed debut in the Asian cup in 2007: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTxNFwnkq_g
mattq
Guest
you come across as arrogant and a toss yet I sometime find you quite funny. I will give you the points, for yes you did predict the demise of WSW.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
I made a bold prediction pre-A-League season about the demise of WSW & BRI and the emergence of PER & NIX .. and was ridiculed by many. I'm going to make another bold prediction pre-Asian Cup ... Timmy Cahill, Mark Bresciano will not underpin the success of the National Team this month. Rather, I'm expecting the standout performers for AUS to be: Jedinak, Sainsbury, Spiranovic, Burns, Kruse, Juric, Oar & Troisi .. and whichever GK we have: Maty, or Mitch. Timmy & Marco will be fringe players that provide the occasional bit of inspiration.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Alright, tata A-League. COME ON YOU SOCCEROOS!!
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
Hopefully players like Juric and Burns can score goals in this competition and provide us with other goal scoring avenues. Also, the way I see it is that if Cahill is heavily marked by two or three players in a corner, someone else has to be free, right?
Batou
Guest
I agree regarding Cahill, but for me Bresciano is past it. He has been great for Australia for many years but his recent games have been hugely disappointing and he is now a liability. We have better options in central midfield, the area for which we have the most options in the squad.
Brian
Guest
unless he's talking about the 3 overage players for Rio 2016. In any event I think Bresciano is way past it. World Cup should have been the end. I hope Kruse & Oar fire. Those 2 it seems to me have the talent if they can get everything else right.
wanderingkooka
Guest
I take it you mean Russia not Brazil. Brazil has been and gone.
Jack
Guest
Bresiano looked slow against japan. Reckon he need s to retire end of comp he won't be going to Brazil or playing many qualifiers
bobbym
Guest
looking forward to seeing them play but hope they both retire gracefully after the cup and let other player come through.