Yes, he’s still playing
Australia announced their 23-man World Cup squad yesterday. Some names are instantly recognisable for Premier League fans. You’ll hopefully remember Mile Jedinak for his heroics at Crystal Palace before he moved on to Aston Villa, Aaron Mooy of Huddersfield and Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan.
Fans north of the border will know what Tom Rogic can bring to the squad too; the Celtic midfielder has a knack of popping up with big goals.
But it’s up top where the Socceroos really lack depth. Long gone are the days or Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell, but one of the old guard is still knocking around. Millwall and Everton legend Tim Cahill has been called up for one last tournament at the age of 38.
Australia’s full squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers:Â Brad Jones (Feyenoord), Mat Ryan (Brighton), Danny Vukovic (Genk).
Defenders:Â Aziz Behich (Bursaspor), Milos Degenek (Yokohama F. Marinos), Matthew Jurman (Suwon Samsung Blue Wings), James Meredith (Millwall), Josh Risdon (Western Sydney), Trent Sainsbury (Grasshopper Zurich).
Midfielders:Â Jackson Irvine (Hull City), Mile Jedinak (Aston Villa), Robbie Kruse (VfL Bochum), Massimo Luongo (QPR), Mark Milligan (Al-Ahli), Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield), Tom Rogic (Celtic).
Forwards:Â Tim Cahill (Millwall), Daniel Arzani (Melbourne City), Tomi Juric (Luzern), Mathew Leckie (Hertha Berlin), Andrew Nabbout (Urawa Red Diamonds), Dimitri Petratos (Newcastle Jets), Jamie Maclaren (Hibernian).
Cahill showed his class at the last World Cup with a beautiful volley against the Netherlands that was nominated for the Puskas award, but four years later, his form has taken a slight dip, so don’t expect to see a repeat of that goal.
Cahill is still a threat in the air though, despite not scoring for Millwall since his return in January.
He has scored 50 goals for Australia in 105 appearances and will be hoping to cap off a long international career with another tournament goal. Unless of course I’m being presumptuous and he rocks up in Qatar at the age of 44, still banging headers in for fun in the Australian third division.
