The decision to leave Socceroos veteran Tim Cahill on the bench throughout Australia’s World Cup draw with Denmark has left fans fuming.
The five-time World Cup goalscorer was left out of coach Bert van Marwijk’s starting line up for Thursday match in Samara.
Despite Australia sending 16 crosses into the Denmark box, Marwijk refused to bring on Cahill, baffling commentators and enraging fans.
The decision to leave Socceroos veteran Tim Cahill (pictured, left) on the bench throughout Australia’s World Cup draw with Denmark has left fans fuming
The five-time World Cup goalscorer (pictured, right) was left out of coach Bert van Marwijk’s starting line up for Thursday match in Samara
Despite Australia sending 16 crosses into the Denmark box, Marwijk refused to bring on Cahill, baffling commentators and enraging fans (pictured is goalscorer Mile Jedinak)
SBS football analyst Craig Foster asked why Cahill was in Russia at all if he was not going to be used in those situations.
‘I think the whole country and probably the rest of the world thought, “Here comes Tim Cahill”,’ Foster said.
‘Australia produced a lot of good crosses coming behind the Danish backline and if you don’t bring Cahill on in that moment, why do you put him in the squad?’
Craig Moore, another former Socceroo turned SBS commentator said the questions being asked about Cahill were ‘genuine’.
SBS football analyst Craig Foster asked why Cahill (pictured, right) was in Russia at all if he was not going to be used in those situations
Other sporting greats took to Twitter in disbelief, including former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich (pictured, above)
‘Could Timmy Cahill have attacked that and got a winning goal?’ he said during commentary.
Other sporting greats took to Twitter in disbelief, including former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich.
‘Arzani should have been in earlier,and questions must be asked of the manager as to why Tim Cahill was not used with 10-15 minutes to go,’ he wrote.
Ex-NFL star Jarryd Hayne simply tweeted ‘Time for Tim!’ while Lote Tuqiri asked: ‘ Does this Socceroos coach know what Tim Cahill looks like?’
The 38-year-old Millwall forward ignored the controversy surrounding his non-selection, and wrote a message of support for his team along with a video.
The 38-year-old Millwall forward ignored the controversy surrounding his non-selection, and wrote a message of support for his team along with a video (pictured)
‘Massive effort by the lads today against Denmark. Team performance was fantastic and gutted we couldn’t get all 3 points,’ Cahill wrote.
‘Special mention to the fans today, amazing support and the stadium was rocking. Time to pack up here in Samara and head back to Kazan to prepare for Peru.’
Australia is now waiting on the results of other games to see if the Socceroos will have any chance of advancing to the next round after the drawn match.
Both teams scored in the first half before a hard-played back and forth in the second.
Australia looked to be gaining supremacy with the ball mid-way through the second half but were unable to capitalise on a number of golden opportunities.
Some great keeping from Danish goal keeper Kasper Schmeichel also helped to keep the Socceroos from netting another goal in the second half along with solid Danish defence.
It’s the 12th straight penalty goal scored by the Socceroos out of their last 12 attempts
Australia is left waiting on the results of other games to see if the Socceroos will have any chance of advancing to the next round after their draw against Denmark
Young Socceroos whiz kid Arzani was bought ton in the 68th minute and made a number of dazzling plays but the Socceroos were unable to convert them into goals.
Both teams went into the half-time break tied after Australia were able to score a goal late in the first half.
Australia scored their first goal after a controversial penalty was dealt to the Danes close to the end of the first half.
The match referee used the VAR penalty review after Danish player Yussuf Poulsen’s hand appeared to make contact with the ball inside the Denmark goal square.
Some great keeping from Danish goal keeper Kasper Schmeichel also helped to keep the Socceroos from netting another goal in the second half
Australia have scored their first goal against Denmark after a momentum shifting penalty was dealt to the Danes, tying up the score at one goal a piece near the end of the first half
After the review the penalty was awarded to Australia who took the opportunity with both hands.
Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak took the penalty shot and converted tying up the scores at one goal a piece.
The goal was the 12th straight penalty scored by the Socceroos out of their last 12 attempts.
Denmark scored in the opening minutes of the match, netting the goal at the eighth minute of the match after some flashy offensive work.
The Danish team were left seething after the VAR penalty review was upheld against them
Danish striker Christian Eriksen (pictured) hammered a strike past Australian goal keeper Matthew Ryan in the opening minutes of the first half
Australia capitalised on a hand ball penalty dealt to the Danes late in the first half to tie up the score
Striker Christian Eriksen hammered a strike past Australian goal keeper Matthew Ryan.
Meanwhile Australia were unable to capitalise on a couple of early opportunities close to the Danish goal despite looking dangerous at times.
Australian and Danish fans packed into the Samara Arena for the second round clash between their teams, with Denmark heavy favourites to win.
Australia was desperate for a victory after going down to France two goals to one in the first round.
The match was played at the Samara Arena in Samara, 1,062km from the Russian capital.
Australia, sitting at 36th in the FIFA rankings, went into the game as $4 outsiders.
Betting markets had the Danes as $2.05 favourites, and a win would have ended Australia’s hopes of making it out of the pool stage of the tournament.
Denmark came off of a first round one nil win over Peru, and are ranked 12th in the world.
Australian fans have travelled across the globe to support their football team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Socceroos coach Bert van Marwijk (pictured) opted to leave Tim Cahill out of the team to face Denmark on Thursday