Cahill Set for Aussie Qualifier
A week or so back I mentioned that Tim Cahill could well miss two forthcoming Everton games as a result of Australia’s World Cup Qualifier on February 6. It was clear back then that Cahill would make the choice. Since then there’s growing evidence that he will make the trip.
The Qualifier is due to be played in Melbourne on February 6 - smack bang in the middle of Everton’s games with Blackburn on Saturday and Reading a week later. David Moyes has apparently left the decision whether to fly out for the game to Cahill and quotes from the player earlier this month appeared to reveal his current thinking.
“I’m available for Australia any time,” remarked Cahill in this recent article.
“I fought so hard in court cases and things to play for Australia…I’m not all of a sudden going to turn around and say I don’t want to play…”
Opinion was then, that if selected, Cahill would make himself available. Australian coach, Pim Veerbek, has now named the Everton man as part of a provisional 39-man squad for the Qatar game. That squad also includes Schwarzer, Neill, Emerton and Kewell - minor concerns for fantasy managers in comparison to Cahill.
Mark Viduka was omitted from the selection with Newcastle due to play on Sunday February 3 - which is the Monday in Australia. That would seem to indicate that Veerbek would allow Everton to field Cahill against Blackburn this coming Saturday. However, the likelihood that he would return fresh enough to turn out against Reading a week later would seem very remote.
This is of particular interest for fantasy managers with Cahill suspended for the Spurs game tomorrow night. With doubts over his appearance in the two games that follow, it would appear that Cahill is a prime candidate to be shipped out with teammates Arteta, Osman and perhaps Pienaar considered as possible replacements.
Pienaar looks almost certain to return home early from the African Cup of Nations, unless South Africa can beat Senegal on Thursday. Nigerian pair Yakubu and Yobo meanwhile, are also set to return home before the weekend, even if Nigeria beat Benin tomorrow night. Mali need just a draw against the Ivory Coast to knock Nigeria out of the tournament.
Yobo and Yakubu could well come into Moyes thoughts for the Blackburn game then, while Pienaar looks very likely to play a role against Reading a week later. Cahill may turn out on Saturday against Rovers but with Pienaar back for the Reading game, it would appear that Moyes may have enough to rest him the following week.
i’m torn on this one… i want cahill to play for the socceroos because i have tickets to the game, and would love to see him play… i also have him in my fantasy team and dont really want to have to trade him out.
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I wouldn’t bother trading him simply for what is most likely to be one missed game. But I MIGHT trade him for his recent lack of points and the fact that he seems to be playing a deeper role, especially when Everton are defending a lead.
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Cahill won’t do much now for fantasy..hope he goes alright for the euroroos as i’m going too
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I’m probably going to swap him for Arteta.
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Arteta hasn’t been offering much this season has he?
Any other decent midfielders about?
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I feel with Cahill out for possibly 3 games then Arteta now has to stand up and be counted. I bought him last week on a wing and a prayer and feel he will now reap the rewards.
Eveyone went Jenas mad last week but Lennon turned Evra inside out so he could be an option.
Not a great time for midfielders at the moment, which is why I am trying out Mike Bassets 4-3-3 system he used against poland this week.
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I’ve got Cahill and was thinking of taking him out, but should I take Gerrard out instead because he has not got many points lately. I think he will get a big score very soon (Sunderland)
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Is this likely to effect Cahill later in the season aswell? I play sun dreamteam, so my last chance to get rid of Cahill is at end of transfer window this weekend. Otherwise i’m stuck with him for rest of season.
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ollie me geordie friend.
Stick with Gerrard as he has some good fixtures coming up, chelskia apart. He also has a double gameweek in the pipeline. Or you could swap him for ronaldo
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he hates ManU haha =)
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If you play TFF then you wont have been complaining about Gerrard. His Hat-Trick against Luton bagged me 25 points! I’m gonna ship Cahill out and replace with another attacking midfielder with scoring potential….. I’m thinking Rosicky but might be tempted by Lennon too. Any other suggestions?
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i’ve been having a look at scholes lately, if he doese alright i might bring him in for cahill
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Most sites are saying Cahill will play tomorrow - are you sure he’s out, Mark? Not that I’d doubt you…
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I’ve been searching all day for info on this and the best update I can find is from the ToffeeWeb which basically repeats the story that he now has a hamstring injury as well as making his own choice on going. All is meant to be revealed 2nd Feb! That is when he is due to meet the Soceroos if he is going. This from TofeeWeb:
“David Moyes says that while he would prefer that Tim Cahill didn’t travel for Australia’s World Cup qualifier against Qatar in Melbourne next week, the decision is ultimately down to the player himself. He would miss the Blackburn and Reading games if he does go but that might depend on the hamstring injury he’s currently nursing.â€
I also found this in Australia:
“The rest of the Socceroos’ European stars, including Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill and Mark Schwarzer, are scheduled to arrive from Sunday night onwards ahead of the Qatar match at Telstra Dome next Wednesday.”
We are 11 hours ahead of you guys in the UK and the flight is 24hrs. So he is either getting on the flight right now or he is going to miss the training. He needs a couple of days at least to get over jet lag (takes me much longer I can tell you). So looks like Everton know he is gone and are keeping it quiet. Anyone know an airline stewardess with inside information?
Anyway, looking decidedly risky now with 2 not just 1 game missed if he goes and if he doesn’t then a hamstring injury (or is the Moyes muddying the waters?).
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Good work, Lefty. It’s not worth the hassle, I’m letting the lad go. Arteta, step up to the plate.
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Reported this morning in Melbourne paper that (fitness allowing) Kewell, Cahill, Neill & Schwarzer all leaving Wednesday for the qualifier.
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Now seems Cahill is to leave after the Everton game but he has a last minute health check to get through both for that game and to get clearance for travel to Melbourne. He is also expecting to leave straight after and get back in time for the next Everton match. God knows what state he will be in for the games next week!
Below some odds and sods from various OZ sites:
THE odds of Harry Kewell or Tim Cahill playing against Qatar in the Socceroos’ first 2010 World Cup qualifier on Wednesday appear to be lengthening.
Football Federation Australia yesterday issued a media release outlining when several European-based players would be arriving in Melbourne, but the names of the Liverpool and Everton players were conspicuous by their absence. Cahill has indicated his desire to play but
Everton manager David Moyes said this week the midfielder was injured.
“He’s got a bit of a hamstring injury just now, so we will see if that will hinder him in any way,” Moyes told the Everton club website. “I’m sure if he got the chance he would go and play for his country.”
The FFA’s head of medical services, Dr Jeff Steinweg, flew to London last night to monitor the players to ensure they have not picked up significant injuries from weekend games before they leave.
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Just to let you guys know Cahill played about 60mins in the world cup qualifier. He scored a goal and performed generally well. At the sight of the first injury, to one of his team mates, he was pulled off the field! I guess Everton may have had some deal to protect their asset. Overall score 3-0 to OZ.
So Cahill will now be on his way back to the UK arriving in time for the next match and physically fit, although jet lagged.
Lefty
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I’m a huge fan of Cahill and he always proves himself in the big games. I think I’ll have a punt on him being top scorer in the premiership if I can get the best odds with a bookie!
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