Cahill has date with destiny

Jul 18 2007 by Richard Williamson, Liverpool Daily Post

AUSTRALIA’S gain is Everton’s loss.

Influential midfielder Tim Cahill’s odyssey in the Asia Cup continues after he came off the bench again to inspire a 4-0 win over Thailand to earn a quarter-final place.

It means he will miss the next stage of Everton’s pre-season preparations as he continues his recuperation after injury with the Australians.

Cahill now has the chance to repeat his heroics of Australia's first win at the World Cup when they take on favourites Japan.

Cahill, a scoring substitute against Japan in Kaiserslautern last year, said: “It’s destiny, isn’t it? It’s good we're playing them again, I can't wait … we’re ready for it now, aren't we?

“We're ready to kick on and play one of the best teams in the competition. Obviously we've been slow starters, but now we’ve started to find our feet, we feel good about it. I'm just looking forward to being part of it again.”

Cahill, who came off the bench to have a hand in all three of Australia's late goals, is desperate to start, a positive sign of the progress hie is making which will encourage Evertonians.

“I’m delighted to contribute to the team, and the country,” Cahill said. “I've been ready to start the last two games, I’m buzzing. Last week we were umming and aahing whether we'd still be in the Asian Cup. We've probably gone from one extreme to the other.”