Tim Cahill shatters Chinese hopes

FE Team | Published: January 23, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

BRISBANE, Australia, Jan 22 (AFP): Tim Cahill scored a brilliant bicycle-kick and a trademark header as Australia downed brave China 2-0 to reach the Asian Cup semi-finals Thursday.
Cahill took his record tally of goals for Australia to 39, and few have been as important as his second-half strikes to put the hosts into the last four.
Shortly after half-time, Cahill pulled out a bicycle-kick from a sharp angle which beat Chinese 'keeper Wang Dalei, and he then made it two with a familiar leap and header. The Socceroos deserved the win against a willing but outgunned Chinese side, who scrambled well in the first half but folded under the weight of possession enjoyed by the Australians.
Coach Ange Postecoglou recalled skipper Mile Jedinak to the starting line-up after injury and gave veteran midfielder Mark Bresciano his first start of the tournament.
He also restored Australia's forward line of Cahill and Robbie Kruse following a string of missed chances against South Korea in their final pool game.