Cahill is currently in Australia with his Everton teammates.

Spearing a little of his time at a signing session for Optus, Cahill took a minute to talk to us.

We asked him about his thoughts on the A-League to start with.

“Yeah look, I support all the teams in the A-League and hope they do well,”

“Football in Australia is growing, as you can see,”

Speculation had of course been rife now for a few years about Cahill launching an A-League side in Sydney around Wollongong. But Cahill quashed those rumours, for now at least.

“Not too sure mate, but we’ll see what happens in the future, though,”

“Like I said, I just hope the teams do well,”

We couldn’t let him escape without one question about the World Cup though, and what better than his thoughts about all the Jabulani controversy.

“It’s different!” he said with a smile as he signed a Socceroos scarf for us.

TIM CAHILL and his Premier League side Everton are currently in Australia for three pre-season matches. They face Sydney FC (July 10), Melbourne Heart (July 14) and finish with a clash against Brisbane Roar (July 17).

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Play Every Minute!

Mixed Feelings... The Socceroos are out, what did you make of their World Cup efforts?

They picked up a gutsy 2-1 win over Serbia yesterday, and although it was not enough to see them qualify for the round of 16, they have restored the pride.

Pim Verbeek will now be replaced as national manager and this will mark the end of the ‘golden generation’ of Australian Football. The likes of Craig Moore and Scott Chipperfield have finished their national careers for the Socceroos, whilst the likes of Vincenzo Grella, Marco Bresciano, Harry Kewell, Mark Schwarzer and skipper Lucas Neill may all have potentially played at their last World Cup for Australia.

There is hope though, the impressive performances of players like Brett Holman, Carl Valeri and arguably Australia’s best performer, Luke Wilkshere, conveying that Australia has some very capable players waiting in the ranks.

But for now, that ends Australia’s World Cup campaign for 2010, don’t forget to let us know your thoughts on their efforts in the poll and in the comments section at the end of this page!

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Play Every Minute!

Offence... Pim looks like he will start both Josh Kennedy (left) and Tim Cahill (middle) up front, finally, some might add.

Why?

Australia always performs at their best when it seems no one gives them a chance. Let’s go back four years. The Socceroos could only manage a pre-match draw with Liechtenstein and journalists were writing us off, claiming we are lucky to score a goal let alone a win. But we made the second round.

Let’s go back even further to the game which meant the Socceroos qualified for the 2006 World Cup. Facing a daunting qualifier against Uruguay, the South Americans took a one-goal lead to Sydney. So much did they dominate in that game that the South Americans said it would be a ‘travesty’ if they didn’t beat the Aussies. The rest is history.

Still not convinced?

Serbia have NEVER won a game against a non-European based team at the World Cup and even more telling is that in those three games, they conceded 10 goals. They couldn’t beat New Zealand pre-tournament, they hardly dominated either. Also, so cocky it seems are the Serbians that Coach Radomir Antic has hinted at resting players on a yellow card so they don’t risk a suspension.

If that is true, which we doubt, he will have to rest his entire starting back line and strikers Zigic and Kuzmanovic. But still, like every other team that has played Australia this World Cup, they think a win is a certain result.

What about those red cards you say?

Well here are the facts. Australia have played more than half of their two games with 10 men and have only conceded three goals in that period. Add to the fact that the two players sent off are arguably Australia’s two greatest players at this Cup.

Some are also suggesting that the Australians will also be unable to keep up with Serbia’s slick possession and passing game. But when you look more carefully, Australia have run as astounding 10 kilometres more than Serbia, so they certainly won’t have time to dwell on the ball.

Who’s the ref though?!

Jorge Luis Larrionda Pietrafesa is his name and let’s hope he’s not the reason behind more idiotic decisions. He is card happy and has come under corruption allegations recently, just what we need. The worst thing is that he is from Uruguay! Who appoints these bloody refs? Hopefully he is a bit happier after Uruguay’s undefeated qualification for the round of 16!

Fact is, when the Socceroos have needed to step up in the past they have. They did it against Ghana and I think they’ll do it again here. Form is loss, draw so technically it should equate to a win next in the cycle! Whether or not it’ll be enough to qualify is debatable, but the Germans and Ghanaians are still both a chance to miss out on the next round so let’s hope they get stuck into each other!

Aus 3-1 Serbia.

AUSTRALIA

Formation: 4-2-3-1

TAB Sportsbet: $67

The Coach: Pim Verbeek

The Dutch veteran might not have brought the most enterprising and eye catching football to the continent, but he has brought something no other coach (aside Guus Hiddink’s short cameo) has brought; results. He doesn’t base a players ability on one or two games, but rather asses them over time and this as well as his ability to get scrappy results has led him to cult hero status in Australia.

The Captain: Lucas Neill

Neill’s leadership over the past few years after Mark Viduka’s retirement has been remarkable, especially being able to respond so efficiently after that penalty against Italy last time around. He’s lost some speed but still reads the game well and will be looking for a big performance in arguably his first and last Cup as captain.

Fighters... Cahill and Neill will be crucial for Australia.

The X-Factor: Tim Cahill

No surprises that Australia’s fortunes lie heavily with this man. The amazing fact is if Cahill scores Australia doesn’t lose. Quite a remarkable statistic and if the Everton midfielder can continue to be in the right place at the right time and repeat his antics from Germany, Australia will look like quite a formidable opponent come South Africa.

The Flaw: Offence

Australia is lacking a big thing up front, a strong, quick ball player who can provide goals. Josh Kennedy or Harry Kewell will most likely get the role striker job, and whilst either is well adept to play it, they haven’t proven themselves there either. Kennedy has bagged some crucial goals for the Socceroos but his lack of pace sees him disappear in some games.

The Verdict: Round of 16

While they will go into their third World Cup as underdogs of the group again, there is a nation with much higher hopes and expectations compared to Germany. Verbeek quoted that his team would need ‘at least five points’ to qualify and whilst it will be much tougher than 2006, Australia have come a long way from then as well.

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GERMANY

Formation: 4-2-3-1

TAB Sportsbet: $13

The Coach: Joachim Low

Respected by the German public and FA, Low heads into the World Cup with a good standing. However, his future is uncertain with negotiations to be made about a new contract after the tournament.

The Captain: Philipp Lahm

In the absence of Michael Ballack, Lahm will take over the role of skipper. He’s had a great season with Bayern narrowly missing the treble. The left back not only is a good dead ball deliverer and crosser, but also has a decent shot on him that could surprise defences.

The X-Factor: Miroslav Klose

Captain... Lahm will take the armband.

He has five goals in the two previous World Cups, and another five here will see him equal Ronaldo’s world record 15. However, whilst there was much criticism about his picking in the squad after a mediocre season, the striker just has a knack of scoring crucial goals and in his last Cup; he’ll need to do the same.

The Flaw: Defence

Aside from Lahm and Per Mertesacker, the rest of the defence looks very shaky. Low is yet to decide who accompany the two at the back, and with keeper choices becoming limited if they side is put under consistent pressure things could becomes worrying.

The Verdict: Round of 16

The Germans always turn up to these World Cup’s and it’s very hard seeing them not being able to qualify from this group. However, they could face England or USA in the Round of 16. They’re also missing a couple of vital players and this could hurt their overall campaign.

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SERBIA

Formation: 4-4-2

TAB Sportsbet: $51

Surprise... McDonald cut from Australian squad.

It is believed Verbeek informed the players of his decision shortly after the friendly against New Zealand last night.

The announcement does come as a shock though as the three, especially McDonald and Carle, were thought of legitimate chances of making the World Cup squad.

However, it appears McDonald’s poor form for his country ultimately led to his demise. The diminutive striker, who made his name with Celtic before moving to Middlesborough, is still yet to break his duck on the international front.

Carle and North however didn’t even get a run against the All Whites.

Carle, playing for Crystal Palace in England, has often split opinion in the public, however, many believed his versatile and somewhat unorthodox style of play would get him a spot on the plane to South Africa.

The cutting of North was probably the least shocking of the three considering how long he’s been out for and his poor form playing in Korea. The impressive performance of comeback-kid Michael Beauchamp might have also gone against the former Newcastle Jets captain.

Verbeek will now take his 28-man squad to South Africa and will cut it down to his final 23 after friendlies against Denmark and the United States, respectively.