Tim Cahill set for five-minute farewell cameo in Socceroos friendly against Lebanon
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Tim Cahill's Socceroos swansong has been a mere after-thought for Graham Arnold as he prepares to gather invaluable intelligence in Australia's last hit-out before the Asian Cup.
The coach will tinker with his line-up for the Socceroos' friendly with Lebanon tonight in the absence of regulars Tom Rogic (knee) and Robbie Kruse (groin), but is set to give Cahill just five minutes in his final appearance in the green and gold.
There had been some controversy over the former Everton man being afforded game time so close to the Asian Cup campaign, but Arnold said Cahill's five-minute cameo before home fans at Sydney's Olympic stadium was a "just reward for a great career," but his focus was elsewhere.
"The first 85 minutes is all about our performance," Arnold said.
"There are no friendly games. The last five minutes can be for Timmy or the last two minutes can be for Timmy. It's all about us and preparing.
Fringe players given chance to shine
The next time Arnold will see his players run out onto the field will be in the opening game of the Asian Cup against Palestine in Group B on January 11 in the United Arab Emirates.
With little time left to prepare, the Socceroos coach confirmed he had not yet settled on his final squad, meaning the match against Lebanon could prove vital for some fringe squad members.
"There's still half a dozen positions up for grabs," Arnold said.
"[Tonight] is an opportunity for those players to show not only myself but the country that they're hungry, they're there and they want selection for the Asian Cup."
Speedy winger Awer Mabil shapes as a likely first-time starter after his spark-plug performance off the bench in Australia's 1-1 draw against South Korea in Brisbane on Saturday.
"It's a great opportunity for me to look at other players," Arnold said.
"The boys who started against South Korea were excellent. There'll be some that played in that game that start. Others will be given a great opportunity."
Rooney's swansong
What seems certain is that Cahill will not be afforded the same amount of time given to fellow international retiree and former Everton star Wayne Rooney, who played more than half an hour in his 120th and final England cap on Friday in a friendly against the USA in London.
Rooney, 33, who retired from international duty two years ago, came close to scoring in stoppage time, but admitted to being relieved that his shot did not find its target due to the controversy it would have created.
"Another yard it would have been in … and it would have great," Rooney said of the shot, which was saved by the US goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
"But in some ways it's great because if I did score it would have opened another whole lot of debate whether that goal should count or not … it's probably better it didn't go in."
Such was the debate stirred by England's most capped outfield player being recalled after two years off the team to have a ceremonial farewell, 15 years after his debut, against Australia.
Despite that, Rooney said he was pleased to have been given the opportunity.
"The FA are celebrating players who have left their mark on international football for England — it never happened in the past, which it should have," said Rooney, a Premier League and Champions League title-winner with Manchester United.
"It hasn't taken way from what Gareth (Southgate) and the players are trying to do.
"Hopefully in a few years' time some of the players will be getting a similar night for their achievements."
One last goal in Timmy Time
Cahill's swansong will come at the Olympic stadium, the scene of one of his greatest moments in a Socceroos jersey.
The former Melbourne City player scored two goals to haul his side past Syria and into the intercontinental playoff against Honduras in October last year, helping the Socceroos qualify for the World Cup in Russia, Cahill's fourth appearance at the tournament.
Australia's record scorer with 50 goals, Cahill has backed himself to go one better than Rooney by adding to his tally, no matter how much time he is afforded at the Olympic stadium.
"I'm pretty sure I'll get a chance," Cahill said.
"It's what everyone expects.
"I'm always confident that if I cross the line, I'm willing to score in training the same way in games.
"The boys know where to put the ball.
"Even if they've never played with me, they know that something's going to happen."
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