Budweiser Man of the Match: Tim CAHILL (AUS)

12 June 2006

Tim Cahill did not only score Australia’s first goal at a FIFA World Cup™ finals, he added a second which helped them to a 3-1 win over Japan. An added bonus for the 26-year-old was that he picked up the Budweiser Man of the Match Award in the process.

The midfielder, who plays his club football for Everton in the English Premiership, entered the fray in the 53th minute and took 31 minutes to make a significant impact for his team, netting the equaliser following a goalmouth scramble.

Prior to the game, no team had come from behind to win a game at this year’s FIFA World Cup, but Cahill had other ideas. He struck a spectacular second goal for Guus Hiddink’s side, rifling home a shot from the edge of the box, which cannoned off the inside of the post and into the opposite corner of the net.

TSG member Alvin Corneal said: "The match was tough for Australia, especially after going a goal behind and Tim Cahill showed great determination to turn the game around.

"He played very well in midfield after coming on as a substitute and together with Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell, they posed a tremendous threat to the Japanese defence. Australia really needed to win this game to have a chance of qualifying for the next round and the have done that."