Football
Reuters 6y

Australia's Tim Cahill looking to equal World Cup scoring record

Tim Cahill is looking to emulate Pele, Uwe Seeler and Miroslav Klose by scoring in a fourth World Cup.

The 38-year-old former Everton forward is his country's most prolific international goalscorer with 50 goals in 106 matches, but has played little club football for the last year.

It is unlikely that he will start against France on Saturday but he will be hoping his habit of scoring at crucial moments for Australia might persuade coach Bert van Marwijk that he is at least worthy of a place on the bench.

"I've put so much effort into being here," he told reporters on Thursday. "To get on the pitch is one step, but to score would just be amazing. People dream of scoring in one World Cup but to join the list of names who are on there now would be priceless."


World Cup 2018 must-reads

FC Match Predictor 2018

- Make your picks with ESPN FC Match Predictor 2018!
- Welcome to the Alternative 2018 World Cup Fans' Guide
- ESPN FC's experts make their picks
- Marvel's amazing World Cup spoilers
- Revealed: World Cup 2018 Ultimate XI
- Fixtures, results and full coverage
- Team-by-team previews of all 32 nations


Cahill has scored five of his country's 11 World Cup goals. His first against Japan in 2006 was also Australia's first ever and his last against the Dutch four years ago was a volley that ranked among the best of the tournament.

Cahill played his first international football as a 14-year-old for Samoa's under-20 team back in 1994, and his fitness regime leaves him in no doubt he could still do a job if given the chance.

"I spent a whole year getting ready for three games," he said. "As a professional, you have got to hit certain levels of physical data, professionalism, that gets you to where I'm sitting today."

Cahill showed his knack of scoring key goals last October with two headers to help Australia beat Syria on their road to Russia.

And if he does get a chance to pull on the gold shirt for a 107th time against France at the Kazan Arena, he is determined to make history.

"If I get on that pitch, I know that I'm going to make sure I'm going to try and make something happen," he said.

"After that, I'm in a different world. I'd love to join the greats [and] to do something special for my country."

^ Back to Top ^