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Unlucky Cahill

The Asian Cup Final was a non-stop hard-fought good game in front of a huge crowd in Qatar. Japan won with an excellent volley from the edge of the box in extra time.

Tim Cahill played a similar role to his Everton one, usually just behind Harry Kewell who was the spearhead of the attack. Cahill's aerial domination created a number of good chances that Harry and others squandered.

If anything, it was Tim's domination in the air that led to Australia taking every opportunity to overdo things with an incredible number of high balls when often it might have been better to mix it up by occasionally keeping the ball on the ground.

I thought Australia were by far the better team but credit to Japan who never gave up plus being helped by a marvellous goalkeeper. Cahill started the second half with a bulky strapping on his left knee. Typically, he battled on though it became obvious that the injury he had picked up was getting worse and restricted his mobility.

His substitution was in my opinion delayed far too long. Moyes would have every right to complain about it.
Dick Fearon, West Australia Posted 29/01/2011 at 22:48:56

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James Carroll
1 Posted 30/01/2011 at 01:40:41

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Typical!
A worthless tournament - which Tim didn't even win - and now he'll probably be out injured for several weeks - if not more.
Great.

Martin Faulkner
2 Posted 30/01/2011 at 03:49:54

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I can't see him playing against Arsenal, Think he went through the pain to play in the final.
We may see him rested for a week or 2 to get over it.

Adolf Ng
3 Posted 30/01/2011 at 04:42:16

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James #1: please don't claim that it is worthless simply because you are not watching or pay attention to it (except Cahill). Don't tell me that the competition's quality and participants are poor, bla bla bla ... but this is exactly what is required for Asian football to progress. I know that this topic can drag on forever, and so I don't want to get on too far, but the message is clear: that please don't claim that it is worthless simply because you are not interested in it.

Steve Carter
4 Posted 30/01/2011 at 06:35:57

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Well, James, it was less of a 'worthless' competition than, say, the European Championship. Following on from what Adolf said, the competition was big news in throughout the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific (in other words, for the vast majority of the world's population), and Tim, along with the rest of the Socceroos, went on record as stating that it was the biggest match of his career.

Derek Thomas
5 Posted 30/01/2011 at 07:35:32

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Watched the game, Cahill played on because it WAS the biggest game. Injury looks like a 2 or 3 weeker min.

Japan just edged it overall, especially after the seriously iffy reffing Vs The Hosts in the quarters.

Right at the death the Aussies, with a mixture of over commitment, naivity and maybe plain tiredness lost their shape for a moment.

The cynic in me thinks that the Germans, Italians, Argies or such would have gone for the penalty shoot out option in the 2nd half of extra time.

The winger got free on the right, crossed it and the recent sub had ALL of the box to himself, no one near him for 10yrds in ANY direction, like it was the prematch kickabout

Mark Burns
6 Posted 30/01/2011 at 09:37:48

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Watched the game in Qatar, Cahill looked very tired and to be honest he looked tired against the Uzbek's last week. He went off then as well and was immediately given treatment and sat with one leg up on a box for the rest of the game. He did play very well yesterday and was Australia's biggest threat. The game was very even and chances missed on both sides. Will have to see if he is rested for a couple of weeks when he gets back.

Incidentally the stewards opened the gates for free before the game started because they wanted all the seats full for the final. It?s a 50000 stadium and I think the gate was 37000. Great game, great stadium and fantastic fire works after the game as well.

Jimmy Hacking
7 Posted 30/01/2011 at 10:47:29

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Next month: The Antarctica Cup, featuring special guest-team: Australia.

Al Reddish
8 Posted 30/01/2011 at 12:22:01

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I blame Moyes for not playing him in the formation he does for his country and for not preparing him properly. He has obviously failed to instill that killer instinct into Tim's mind set. No doubt the injury was picked up during a back pass as Moyes has instructed him not to shoot, the negative twat. I don't think Hibbert comes out of this smelling of roses either.
ps: Unlucky Tim and well done for once again being a great ambassador for our club.

Sean McCarthy
9 Posted 30/01/2011 at 12:34:43

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James = little englander!! Enjoy your afternoon with the Mail on Sunday!!

James Carroll
10 Posted 30/01/2011 at 14:30:33

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Sorry to disappoint, but I'm not a liitle Englander (I don't even live there, I am currently in the USA and was in Australia in 2009. I also despise the Mail on Sunday!!!) I am just someone who cares solely about Everton ? and hate it even when our lads are called up to play for England, Ireland, France ? anyone! I just want to see them in Everton blue. That's all! It always seems to happen that our players get injured on international duty, too. Think of Ros Barclay recently.

Anyway ? get well soon, Tim.

James Carroll
11 Posted 30/01/2011 at 15:42:44

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Ross Barkley, I meant - typo!
By the way - I still would have been thrilled for Tim if he'd won. He always gives his all to everything and everyone - unlike most of the England team!

John Gee
12 Posted 30/01/2011 at 19:59:22

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Is Cahill that midfielder bloke who left us when we were in need of a fit goal scorer?

Fuck Australia and that trumped up so-called competition. If a silly competition between also rans during a crucial stage in EVERTON'S season is so important to Tim, then maybe he should sign for Sidney Cloggers United, sport.

Dick Fearon
13 Posted 01/02/2011 at 16:57:39

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Last year on TW I was roundly criticized by one and all for suggesting that a player with an arm at or above shoulder height in a heading duel should be penalized. In reply, most posters said that players needed to raise their arms for leverage.

In days of yore I detested forwards who used their arms to climb all over me and I wished for something to be done about it. Hence my satisfaction that FIFA having noted a huge increase in head injuries caused by use of the arm is trying to eradicate it.

Referees at the Asian Cup were instructed to penalize every such incident and the games were better for it.

To say that ?leverage? is needed is to imply that players could not get off the ground without using their arms.

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