Tim’s text that told him he’d score two

Tim Cahill revealed a text before the Asian Cup quarter-final with China foretold how his night would unfold at Brisbane Stadium, as the Socceroo superstar explained after the game.

“Funny enough, my older brother texted me and told me I’d score two goals,” Cahill revealed.

“I won’t tell you what I said [in reply] but I believed we’d win and I knew I’d score.

“But it’s not cockiness, it’s actually you have to believe in yourself.”

The Socceroos blew China away with two brilliant goals in a devastating 16 minute spell from Cahill to win their Asian Cup quarter-final 2-0 at Brisbane Stadium on Thursday night.

Cahill said his first goal – a spectacular bicycle kick – was up there with his incredible goal at the 2014 World Cup.

“It’s definitely up there,” he said. “Because it’s a big tournament and it’s just amazing to show up when it counts.

“The way it came was really special. And the thing is, it’s all instinct. When it fell, I just wanted good contact and when I struck it I knew I’d made good contact.

“My main thing was good contact. That’s all I wanted.

“I turned around and it rippled the net… I’ll always have a shot at the title.”

Despite being known as a prodigious header of the ball, Cahill said he’d scored a scissor kick before in a big game. “It was Chelsea away and that was pretty special for Everton,” he said.

As for the Socceroos, they roll on. And Cahill likes the fact that it was another full-blooded performance from the green and gold, who roll into Newcastle on Friday ahead of next Tuesday’s Asian Cup semi-final with Japan or UAE.

“We haven’t changed the game plan from the very first game we played against Kuwait,” Cahill added.

And the star of the show paid tribute to China’s gutsy performance.

TCL

“You’ve got to give credit to China. They weren’t there as a fluke – they are very physical … players are big, strong and technical.

“But we knew we’d have to wear them out by moving the ball. We knew they’d tire. And in the first half it was real hard. I couldn’t find space.

“But I had to believe in the messages: ‘Pin them back, pin them back.’

And I knew in the end I took my chances."

He added: “I write my own scripts… and I’m fearless when I’m on the pitch.”

The Socceroos will face Japan or UAE in the Semi-Finals of the AFC Asian Cup at Newcastle Stadium on Tuesday 27 January (8.00pm local kick off). Click Here to purchase tickets.

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