Brisbane, Australia: Tim Cahill’s brilliant double strike sank China and took Australia into the Asian Cup semi-finals on Thursday.
Hosts Australia had the upper hand against China without crafting the breakthrough until 35-year-old Cahill pulled out a stunning bicycle-kick just after half-time.
The latest uber-strike from Cahill, whose World Cup volley against the Netherlands was shortlisted for goal of the year, was followed by a trademark header for the 2-0 win.
Australia’s victory ended an encouraging tournament from China, who won all three group games for the first time to end their 11-year absence from the knockout stages.
The Socceroos will now face either Japan or the UAE at Newcastle’s modest Hunter Stadium, the smallest of the Asian Cup venues, on January 27.
“This is a big win for us, it’s something that I knew deep down was going to happen before the game, because I believe in this team,” said Cahill.
“I had to wait for my chance and I took two of them tonight out of three and I’m pretty happy.”
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.
After Cahill’s goals, China refused to concede and they forced two diving saves from Australian keeper Mathew Ryan, but ultimately paid for their lack of fire-power.
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.
China initially sat back in defence and looked to counter-attack. They looked the more dangerous early on, Wu Lei’s pace causing the Australian defence plenty of problems.
The Chinese had the best chance of the opening 25 minutes when Ji Xiang’s backheel went just wide, but it was all Australia from that point on.
Cahill and Jedinak were both on target with headers, while Mathew Leckie and Trent Sainsbury should have done better with good chances.
The Socceroos started the second half just as dominantly and they were finally rewarded in the 49th minute, when Cahill worked his magic. China cleared the ball from a corner but only as far as Ivan Franjic, who put a looping header back into the box. An acrobatic Cahill met the cross with an overhead bicycle kick angled past Wang.
Cahill then scored his second in the 65th minute when his pinpoint header from Jason Davidson’s cross gave Wang no chance.
