Is a rolled ankle about to cost Australia a place at the World Cup?
Socceroos star Tim Cahill will learn on Saturday whether he’ll travel to Honduras for Australia’s do-or-die World Cup qualifiers after sustaining the injury in Melbourne City’s 1-0 defeat to Sydney FC on Friday.
Cahill was forced off in the first half at AAMI Park after landing awkwardly when attempting to hurdle Sky Blues defender Jordi Buijs and whisked away to hospital for scans.
Despite some swelling, the 37-year-old was able to walk and put weight on the ankle, suggesting the issue is a minor one.
But with the Socceroos’ record goalscorer due to leave for Central America on Sunday with a 30-hour journey involving three flights for the match in San Pedro Sula, doubts now surround his availability for next Saturday;s first leg.
Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold, who coached Cahill as Socceroos boss a decade ago, has suggested Australian fans should say a little prayer.
“Lets all keep our fingers crossed he’s okay,” Arnold said.
“I just want us to qualify and we need our best team out there.
“The first thing I thought of straight away was the national team.
” Timmy’s our star.
“You can’t give (enough) credit for someone who does so much for the country.
“Against Syria, (scoring twice) over 120 minutes, what he did was phenomenal.
“I’m sure he’s OK. He’ll be ready at least for the return leg here in Australia.”
The home-and-away tie with Honduras concludes in Sydney on November 15.
Melbourne City coach Joyce defended his decision to give Cahill, who was carrying no injuries into the match, his first start of the season.
“Timmy’s desperate to play. He’s been training hard. It’s a big game. We’re trying to win a big game. That’s it,” he said.
“The fact the national team coach (might have wanted him to rest) has got no bearing on it.”
Told the 37-year-old had a swollen ankle and was off for scans, Arnold suggested tackling the long transit across the Pacific Ocean was a no-go.
“Once he gets on the plane it will swell up so he’s better off staying here for the second leg,” Arnold said.
“Let’s all keep our fingers crossed that he’s OK.”
chris
Guest
Nat are you looking forward to the ashes? Can't wait to watch 2 average to poor sides going at each other for crickets ultimate prize.
chris
Guest
Ok Im officially confused by what you write.
Nemesis
Guest
I don't care if Cahill comes off the bench every match, if he scores regularly - that means he's an essential part of the team. Even if you don't watch the National Team, all you have to do is look at the results for the 2nd Stage of Qualification. Over 10 WCQs, Cahill scored 1 goal. That's it. Yes, he scored 2 important goals in the Syria home match (3rd Stage of Qualification). That doesn't make him "essential to the team", any more than the goal by Robbie Kruse in the away leg makes Robbie Kruse essential to the team. This has nothing to do with football knowledge. It's basic common sense.
northerner
Guest
I am mystified by your argument that, because Cahill came on from the bench, he wasn't part of a plan. I rather think I'll take the views of an actual experienced, qualified, senior level coach, over yours. You set your rules on who was qualified to comment on matters of tactics, strategy and selection, and by your own rules, Arnold is far more qualified than you to comment. Your rules: live by them and concede, or abandon your rules and keep arguing. You can't have it both ways. Interesting quandry you've got yourself into.
Nemesis
Guest
If Graham Arnold checked his FACTS he'd soon realise Tim Cahill has rarely started for AUS during past 12 WCQs. This is not an opinion. This is a fact. Facts require research. They don't require expertise in the underlying subject.
northerner
Guest
Maybe I should watch some football games and not remain ignorant? I do watch a few football games, and I don't pretend anything other than to be barely aware of the subtleties. The basics, the flow of the game, I get; beyond that, it's a mystery to me, and I don't pretend otherwise. I'm am not a poseur, pretending to an expertise I don't have. I bow to better informed people, which I would count the coach of SFC as being. If you imagine you're better informed than Arnold, then either you've got an amazing CV in coaching, or you're the real poseur here.
Nat
Roar Guru
Oh no, Aust need Cahill! Who else are the commentators going to reference in the laughing stock of international soccer. Just send Thailand, they don't need 30 shots on goal to score 2.
greenbridge1930
Roar Rookie
Oh of course, how silly of me! Cahill has scored just as much as Irvine/Luongo/Sainsbury combined!!! Not to mention Cahill scoring 17% of the Socceroos' goals in WCQ!!!
Nemesis
Guest
To further expose your ignorance of the FACTS.
greenbridge1930
Roar Rookie
and hows that does help your case?
Nemesis
Guest
You've ignored 3 FACTS from the goalscorers for 2nd Stage & 3rd Stage of AFC Qualification Luongo: 1 Sainsbury: 1 Irvine:1
greenbridge1930
Roar Rookie
There is absolutely no factual basis to conclude Tim Cahill is an essential part of the National Team under Ange for this WC Qualifying campaign. Cahill scored just under 20% of Aus's goals in WCQ
greenbridge1930
Roar Rookie
Graham Arnold: – previously played for the Socceroos – previously managed the Socceroos – he managed Sydney FC to an A-League title last year (a season in which Cahill played against his team) – he is regularly asked to give his opinion on the Socceroos and Aus football in general as football fans in this country trust him So yeah, I think he knows what he is talking about. What are your qualifications Numpty Nemesis outside of “running a business” and “playing for your local club down the road”.
greenbridge1930
Roar Rookie
Who puts the emphasis on Cahill, besides media & fans who must be ignorant about the technical & structure of the National Team under Ange? Most likely the Australian manager who started Cahill and played him for 120 minutes in the second leg off the play off. and maybe the team mates who contributed to his goals, knowing he’s always in the right place at the right time
greenbridge1930
Roar Rookie
WCQ goal scorers: Tomi Juric 5 Tim Cahill 3 Matt Leckie 3 Mile Jedinak 3 Tom Rogic 1 Robbie Kruse 1 James Troisi 0 Aaron Mooy 0
Nemesis
Guest
I've now had time to check the line ups from the past 12 WCQs played by Australia. Here are the Tim Cahill FACTS.. 1) Started: 2 matches 2) Average playing time during the past 12 WCQs: 23 minutes 3) Goals: 3 * 1 goal vs UAE (Away) * 2 goals vs Syria (Home) 4) On the bench but ignored by the coach & did not even play 1 minute = 3 matches 5) Ignored by the coach & did not make the 23 man squad = 1 match There is absolutely no factual basis to conclude Tim Cahill is an essential part of the National Team under Ange for this WC Qualifying campaign.
jamesb
Guest
I don't think Cahill would've been a factor in the first leg anyway. Maybe come off the bench in the last 20. He didn't play in the first leg against Syria, so all is not lost. Just needs to get himself right for the return leg
greenbridge1930
Roar Rookie
Who puts the emphasis on Cahill, besides media & fans who must be ignorant about the technical & structure of the National Team under Ange? Most likely the Australian manager who started Cahill and played him for 120 minutes in the second leg off the play off. and maybe the team mates who contributed to his goals, knowing he's always in the right place at the right time
Nemesis
Guest
If Kruse hadn't scored in the away leg vs Syria, Aust wouldn't be playing Honduras. I guess the National Team attracts ignorant casuals who know nothing about football.
greenbridge1930
Roar Rookie
Stop opening your mouth nemesis. embarrassing stuff