Tim Cahill flying high as Australia eye World Cup playoff

Tim Cahill is brimming with confidence after the Australian veteran fired his Socceroos team-mates to a World Cup playoff with Honduras. 

Cahill netted two trademark headers in their second leg against Syria on Tuesday – rounding his total up to 50 for his country – to keep Australia’s hope’s of World Cup qualification alive as they came from behind for a 2-1 extra time victory.

Thirteen years after scoring his first goal for his country against Tahiti in Adelaide, the Aussie veteran once again proved that while he is on the park, Australia always have a chance.

Tim Cahill may have written himself down as a cult hero after his heroics against Syria

The 37-year-old headed in twice on Tuesday to fire Australia into the World Cup playoff

The 37-year-old headed in twice on Tuesday to fire Australia into the World Cup playoff

Another trademark header from Cahill rounded his goal tally up to 50 for Australia 

Another trademark header from Cahill rounded his goal tally up to 50 for Australia 

Cahill, who will be 38 come the 2018 World Cup in Russia, was handed a rare start in his 103rd international and played the full 120 minutes. 

The former Everton man was waiting in the box in the 96th minute to head Robbie Kruse’s cross into the net and secure an inter-continental playoff against Honduras, where the winners of November’s two-legged tie will advance to the finals in Russia.

With the Aussie playing the full 120 minutes and was celebrating his 103rd international cap

With the Aussie playing the full 120 minutes and was celebrating his 103rd international cap

‘I said time and time again you write your own script. I knew I was going to score,’ the 37-year-old said.

‘It’s not something you’re over confident about but you put yourself in the right position, it’s like waiting for a bus.

‘I didn’t touch the ball much but I did my job, and in the end I delivered, that’s what I’ve done my whole life and I’ll continue to do it.’

CAHILL GETS BETTER WITH AGE 

2004: Makes his debut in a 1-0 victory over South Africa. 

Finished second-top scorer in Socceroos’ 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Cahill then goes on to represent his country, scoring once, at the 2004 Olympics in Athens where they were knocked out in the quarter finals. 

2006: Scored Australia’s first ever World Cup goal against in opening game against Japan. 

Helped the Aussies into the round of 16 where they were beaten by Italy. 

2008-09: Scored four goals as Australia qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. 

2010: Scored third World Cup goal for Australia against Serbia, but were unable to make it out of their group. 

2012-13: Helped Australia to their third consecutive World Cup finals with three goals in qualification. 

2014: Became Australia’s all-time top scorer on 31 goals netting twice against Ecuador. 

Scored what is considered by many as one of the greatest World Cup goals when he volleyed past Dutch keeper Jasper Cillessen – his second of the tournament. 

2017: Scored 10 goals in 2018 World Cup qualification stretching back to 2015, sealing Australia’s place in the playoffs.  

Coach Ange Postecoglou, who on Wednesday passed up a chance to knock down reports that he would be stepping down from his post after the Honduras playoff, was effusive in his praise.

‘Timmy was Timmy, that’s why he’s the greatest ever,’ he said. ‘I said when he broke the hundred games he’s just a great Australian sportsman, beyond our sport.

‘And he’s got an international record that will stack up against the best in the world. And he keeps doing it.’

The former Everton man struck in the 96th minute to seal a historic victory for the Socceroos

The former Everton man struck in the 96th minute to seal a historic victory for the Socceroos

With Australia boss Ange Postecoglou (left) labeling Cahill as 'the greatest ever' after the win

With Australia boss Ange Postecoglou (left) labeling Cahill as ‘the greatest ever’ after the win

Cahill has scored five of Australia’s 11 goals at the last three versions of the World Cup finals and he has little doubt that the Asian champions can make it four in a row next year.

And should Australia qualify for Russia, they would have taken 22 games to get to the finals, dating back to their first match against Kyrgyzstan on June 16, 2015.

‘It’s great to get the result not only for the players but for the manager as well,’ he said. ‘We’re doing it the hard way but its feeling pretty good at the moment.’ 

And even claimed his captain can rank up alongside some of the world's best goalscorers

And even claimed his captain can rank up alongside some of the world’s best goalscorers

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