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Tim CahillAustralian footballer, midfielder and forward
Date of Birth: 06.12.1979
Country:  Australia |
Content:
- Early Life and Family Background
- Club Career
- New York Red Bulls (2012-2015)
- Shanghai Shenhua
- Hangzhou Greentown
- International Career
- World Cup
- 2010 World Cup
- 2014 World Cup
Early Life and Family Background
Tim Cahill(born December 6, 1979) is an Australian footballer who played as a midfielder and forward for English club Millwall and the Australian national team. As Australia's all-time leading scorer, Cahill has a unique background.
Born in Sydney, Cahill's father is of Irish descent and his mother is of Samoan heritage. As a result, Cahill was eligible to represent Ireland, Samoa, or Australia. His parents played a significant role in nurturing his love for football, ensuring that Tim and his brothers, Shaun and Chris, pursued soccer instead of rugby like their cousins. Cahill's mother believed rugby was too dangerous, while his father, being a London native, was a passionate football fan.
Club Career
Everton (2004-2012)In 2004, Cahill joined Everton for a transfer fee of £1.5 million. In his debut season, he emerged as the club's leading scorer and was voted Player of the Season by the fans. Everton finished the season in a high fourth place, earning a spot in the Champions League.
Cahill's performances earned him a place on the 50-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or in October 2006, becoming the first Everton player in 18 years, and the only AFC representative, to receive the nomination. Despite missing much of the 2006/07 season due to a knee injury, Cahill signed a new five-year contract at the end of that campaign.
Cahill missed the start of the 2007/08 season due to injury. He returned to action for Everton's UEFA Cup group stage home match against Greek side Larissa on October 25, 2007, scoring in a 3-1 victory. On December 5, 2007, in another group match at Goodison Park, Everton faced Russian club Zenit St. Petersburg. Cahill scored the winning goal as Everton triumphed 1-0. In total, he made 28 appearances for Everton that season, scoring 10 goals.
On January 19, 2009, in the dying embers of the Merseyside derby against Liverpool, Cahill scored his third goal at Anfield, equaling the legendary Dixie Dean's tally. He marked his 100th career goal with a strike against Arsenal at Goodison Park on January 28, 2009.
Following captain Phil Neville's injury at the start of the 2009/10 season, Cahill assumed the captaincy of Everton. He scored his 50th goal for the "Toffees" against Carlisle United in the third round of the FA Cup, a match that Everton won 3-1.
Known for his diminutive stature, Cahill's clever play earned him the nickname "Tiny Tim" amongEverton fans. However, his height did not deter him from becoming the Premier League's all-time leading scorer by a player under six feet tall, surpassing the likes of Duncan Ferguson and Dion Dublin.
Cahill's unique goal celebrations became synonymous with his playing style. Typically, he would animatedly smash the corner flag after scoring. In a notable departure from this tradition, he celebrated a goal against Portsmouth on March 2, 2008, by crossing his wrists in a handcuff gesture. This gesture was a tribute to his brother Shaun, who had recently been sentenced to prison. On April 14, 2010, Cahill scored a brace against Aston Villa, both goals coming from headers following set pieces. Three days later, Cahill scored a crucial 90th-minute winner against Blackburn Rovers. It was his 10th goal of the season and his first non-header goal since December 2008.
Cahill played his 200th game for Everton against Fulham on April 25, 2010, and signed a new four-year deal with the club a month later. In October 2010, he netted his fifth goal in the Merseyside derby, opening the scoring in a 2-0 win. On November 6, 2010, he became just the 50th player to score 50 Premier League goals, finding the net against Blackpool.
After the 2011 Asian Cup, Cahill endured the longest goal drought of his career. After scoring against Manchester City in December 2010, he went 34 matches without a goal. His scoring drought finally ended on January 21, 2012, with a goal against Blackburn Rovers. On March 17, 2012, in the quarter-final of the FA Cup, Cahill scored his second goal of the season, volleying in a rebound from Simon Mignolet's save to equalize against Sunderland. Everton went on to win the replay 2-0 and secure a place in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. Cahill capped off his season with a third goal, and his final goal for Everton, on April 28, 2012. His goal completed a 4-0 rout of Fulham.
Cahill's Everton career came to an end in controversial fashion. On May 13, 2012, in the final match of the 2011/12 Premier League season, he was sent off following the final whistle for an aggressive challenge on Yohan Cabaye. It proved to be Cahill's last competitive appearance for Everton.
After eight years at Goodison Park, Cahill thanked the club and its supporters: "I want to thank everyone at Everton - a Club with incredible supporters. It has been an honor to play for Everton for the past eight seasons, and this decision has not been made lightly. I wish the Club all the best for the future."
New York Red Bulls (2012-2015)
On July 27, 2012, it was announced that Cahill had joined Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls. The transfer fee was reported to be in the region of £1 million. He made his MLS debut against Houston Dynamo in August 2012. On May 19, 2013, Cahill scored a 91st-minute winner against Los Angeles Galaxy. On October 20, 2013, Cahill scored the fastest goal in MLS history, finding the net just seven seconds into a match against Houston Dynamo. On February 2, 2015, New York Red Bulls mutually agreed to terminate Cahill's contract.
Shanghai Shenhua
On February 22, 2015, Cahill announced his move to Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua. He left the club as a free agent in 2016.
Hangzhou Greentown
On February 22, 2016, Cahill joined Hangzhou Greentown on a six-month contract.
International Career
Australia National TeamCahill made his debut for the Australian national team on March 30, 2004, in a friendly match against South Africa in London. He came on as a 75th-minute substitute for Mark Bresciano. On March 5, 2014, Cahill became Australia's all-time leading goal scorer with a brace against Ecuador. On January 22, 2015, in the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup, which Australia won 2-0 against China, Cahill scored a brace, including a stunning overhead kick.
World Cup
2006 World CupCahill was instrumental in Australia's victory over Japan in the group stage of the 2006 World Cup in Germany, scoring two goals and providing an assist in a 3-1 triumph. He played in all of Australia's matches in that tournament, making history as the first Australian player to score at a World Cup.
2010 World Cup
Heading into the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Cahill was considered one of his country's star players. However, his tournament got off to a rocky start. In the opening match against Germany, he received a straight red card in the 56th minute for a tackle on Bastian Schweinsteiger. Australia suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat in that match. Due to his suspension, Cahill missed the second group stage match against Ghana, which ended in a draw. Upon his return for the third match against Serbia, Cahill opened the scoring with a 69th-minute header. Australia eventually secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Serbia but finished third in the group behind Ghana on goal difference and exited the tournament.
2014 World Cup
Cahill emerged as Australia's leading scorer in the qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup, netting three goals. He entered the tournament as his country's star and hope.
On June 13, 2014, Cahill scored in Australia's opening match at the 2014 World Cup against Chile, heading in a cross from the flank to beat Claudio Bravo. Despite Cahill's goal, the Socceroos were unable to earn any points in the match. He became the third player, alongside Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie, to score in three consecutive World Cup tournaments (2006, 2010, and 2014). On June 18, 2014, Cahill scored his second goal of the tournament, and arguably one of the most spectacular of his career.
