Is a rolled ankle about to cost Australia a place at the World Cup?
After sustaining the injury on the eve of do-or-die qualifiers with Honduras, Socceroos star Tim Cahill is spending Saturday receiving treatment in a bid to fly to Central America.
Neither Cahill, his A-League club Melbourne City or the national team are commenting on the severity of the injury.
Instead, Sydney FC and ex-Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has urged the country to cross fingers for the health Australia’s all-time leading scorer.
Cahill was forced from the field in Friday night’s 1-0 A-League loss to Sydney FC at AAMI Park after landing awkwardly in attempting to hurdle Sky Blues defender Jordi Buijs.
The 37-year-old was able to walk and put weight on the ankle but was whisked away to hospital for scans.
Cahill was due to leave Melbourne on Sunday, a 30-hour journey involving three flights to arrive in San Pedro Sula.
Given the inflammation involved with a rolled ankle, it’s not an ideal scenario for Cahill or the Socceroos’ hopes of qualifying for the 2018 tournament in Russia.
Cahill missed City’s Saturday morning recovery session, opting to recuperate at home in an attempt to make his flights as planned.
The avid social media user put a solitary quote on his Twitter and Instagram account, which reads ‘You become what you think. So think positively’.
Cahill’s importance to the Socceroos was underlined in their most recent qualifier.
The veteran scored twice and played the full 120 minutes in Australia’s second leg victory against Syria to set up the showdown with Honduras.
It’s why 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 OK,” Arnold said.
“I just want us to qualify and we need our best team out there.
” Timmy’s our star.
“You can’t give (enough) credit for someone who does so much for the country.
“Against Syria, 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 away leg with Honduras will be played on November 11, before the return tie in Sydney on November 15.
Melbourne City coach Joyce defended his decision to give Cahill a first start of the season ahead of the crunch qualifiers.
“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.”
Sava
Guest
I watched a show on TV during the week re a tour through the West Indies and the presenter took a tour of Honduras. What a dangerous place. They should be sending a group of Aussie Commandos to guard the Socceroos. It is a very dangerous place. And another thing ,why ban an under 17 North Korean soccer team from coming to Australia to play Sport is a way to help countries like North Korea to see what other people are like . Sava
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Agree. It's an away game for heaven's sake. The smart things to do would be for Ange to ditch his sexy football, high press, attack-at-all-cost approach and play conservative and walk away not conceding a goal. The second leg in Sydney is the money game. That's when Timmy can come into it. Over to you Ange.
j,binnie
Guest
Holly - This is a more accurate view on the perceived Cahill "ankle" problem. This Honduras "away" game is a classic example of how and why our team should approach the match and great "forward play" shouldn't really come into the thinking. The Socceroos should be set up to defend in depth and use their speed men to try and engineer successful "breaks". A closely fought match with a narrow score line would put the pressure on Honduras when they come to OZ and Timmy's "rolled ankle" should be OK by then. Cheers jb..
holly
Guest
Cahill hasn't started an away World Cup qualifier for 2 years (Bangladesh) and when he gets on away from home its usually only the last 15 -20 minutes. His value will more likely be apparent in the 2nd leg - lets hope he has recovered by then.