Australia: Winning one for Tim Cahill
There’s no singular way that Australia is going to win the World Cup. The Socceroos will face an uphill battle every step of the way, starting off with the group stage, where they’ll be picked by most to finish dead last. They’re one of the lowest-ranked teams in the World Cup by FIFA, and their best player is 38 years old.
Their best player is also Tim Cahill, who’s considered to be one of the best, if not outright best, players in Australia’s history. The 38-year-old has over 100 caps for the national team and has scored 50 goals in total, including one of the best goals in the 2014 World Cup.
As one of the countries most decorated players ever, it would behoove both he and the rest of his teammates to rise to the challenge of winning the most decorated trophy of all time. There’s talent in the side, of course. The midfield duo of Mile Jedinak and Aaron Mooy have nearly 100 caps between them, and will need to be at their peak to shelter a shaky, inexperienced defense.
But it’s going to take more than just his teammates playing the best soccer of their lives. It’s going to take magic: both from Cahill and from a higher deity. Cahill was still banging in goals in qualifying, scoring twice in the AFC fourth round including the game-winner in the 109th minute. If the soccer gods and father time throw Australia and their best player a bone, they could make some of their own magic. They’re going to need a lot of it.