FIFA World Cup 2018: Tim Cahill’s experience invaluable for Australia

Australia Legend Tim Cahill could join legends like Pele, Miroslav Klose and Uwe Seeler in the small list of players who have scored in four consecutive FIFA World Cups.

Country: Australia

Tim Cahill has 50 goals for Australia football team, with five of them coming in World Cups. (AP)

Position: Forward

World Cup Appearances: 8

World Cup Goals: 5

At 38, Tim Cahill is easily one of the oldest footballers on the global football stage. The former Everton forward has been an absolute legend for the Australian football team and with 50 goals to his name, he is the highest goalscorer for his national side by quite some distance. However, the Aussie veteran is not ready to rest on his laurels as he chases another record at the World Cup 2018.

Cahill needs one goal in Russia to join Brazilian legend Pele, Miroslav Klose and Uwe Seeler in the small list of players who have scored in four consecutive FIFA World Cups. But, Cahill’s achievement holds special prominence considering Australia’s standing in the sport. The Aussies have never moved past the Round of 16 and almost all the national team records are held by Cahill himself. As a result, the veteran will once again play a major role in his team’s campaign at the World Cup in Russia.

However, the road to his fourth World Cup has not been easy. His lack of first-team football, playing only 212 minutes in club football all season, only 63 of those in the crucial six months before the tournament has not helped his case and his selection in the squad was met with a lot of criticism. But, coach Bert van Marwijk called him a ‘special case’ and his record is enough to justify the tag.