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Australia is a nation that has produced its fair share of world-class athletes, however it wasn’t until the late 1990s and 2000s that Australian sport and specifically football began to become recognised abroad.
This surge in attention dedicated to Australian football can largely be attributed to the exploits of Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill.
The two players went about achieving their goals in different ways but have ultimately ended up being on opposite sides of the same debate… Who is Australia’s greatest footballer of all time?
In today’s modern footballing world being supremely talented and having the ability to put the ball in the back of the net isn’t enough. Nowadays players are required to be outstanding people as well.
I have had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with both Kewell and Cahill and although both were generous with their time and up for a chat it was Timmy whom I found to be more open.
This is evidenced through the many commercials and other various advertisements that Cahill has been involved in, as well as his desire to connect with junior footballers and create a pathway for them. It shows that he is concerned with much more than his own career.
So in regards to media exposure and engaging with the public, the vote goes to Cahill.
Natural ability is something you either have or you don’t. Both Kewell and Cahill have it in abundance but in different areas.
After a childhood constantly being told he was too slow and small, Cahill developed the ability to rise above criticism and prove people wrong. Such determination cannot be taught.
Couple that with his natural ability to leap and the knack of popping up with a goal whens it’s most needed and you’ve got a star.
Guus Hiddink described Kewell as a player who “didn’t need coaching”. Blessed with speed, awareness, skill and a ferocious left foot, no one was surprised when Leeds United came knocking.
Cahill worked hard and deserves to be where he is, but I’m a sucker for natural talent because it’s something that can’t be taught, so this time Kewell gets the nod.
Moments are what every athlete live for and both players provided us with many special moments for both club and country.
Who can forget all those classy left-foot finishes from Kewell or those emphatic headers from Cahill in the Premier League?
Ultimately, though, what a player does at the World Cup is what is remembered most, and despite all Kewell’s talent and goals in failed World Cup qualifying attempts, the moment Cahill scored that goal against Japan he became number one.
Cahill has always stepped up in the big moments when the Socceroos needed it the most.
In the dying minutes of the 2011 Asian Cup final against Japan, Kewell was put through for a one-versus-one with the keeper. Surely he would score?
Instead Kewell shot straight at the keeper and minutes later Japan scored a heartbreaking winner. In contrast, when the chance has fallen to Cahill he’s always taken it. See the difference?
Both Kewell and Cahill have combined to put Aussie football on the map, but who is our greatest?
Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard, right?
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