Tim Cahill reflects on his fourth World Cup and provides a glimpse into the Socceroos Kazan camp

NOW that our tournament is over, it’s good to be a fan, sit back, and watch the rest of the World Cup play out.

Of course we’d still love to be in Russia, but it just wasn’t meant to be for us.

I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to represent my country in four World Cups. Playing for my country is something I’ve always dreamt about since I was a kid and the World Cup is the biggest stage of all.

Slater: Roos are overpaid

1:07

Quarterfinal

BEST MOMENTS OF THE WORLD CUP SO FAR

FIFA FED UP WITH MARADONA

Tim Cahill touches the post after the Socceroos loss to Peru.Source: AFP

I’ve always played for the badge and never taken selection for granted. This World Cup meant so much to me because it was the hardest to qualify for, with must-win games like the ones we had against Syria and Honduras.

Our preparation was full-on — I’ve never taken my foot off the gas and I’ve been driven mentally to stay focused on the end goal which was Russia.

Tim Cahill with his family after the Socceroos lost to Peru.Source: FOX SPORTS

I promised my family that after the World Cup my priority would be spending time with them, so that’s what I’m doing before I make any decisions about my future. I spent a long period away from them while I was at Millwall, and then there was the 40-day camp in Turkey and Russia. They managed to come to the last match against Peru in Sochi, but for now the most important thing for me is to spend time with my wife and kids.

Tim Cahill with his family in Moscow.Source: Instagram

SOCCEROOS CAMP

I thought our preparation for the World Cup was faultless, particularly in terms of what was provided for us.

We stayed in Kazan at a hockey facility, which we nicknamed the KIS (Kazan Institute of Sport), after the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport). It was probably one of the best set ups out of the four World Cups I’ve experienced with the Socceroos.

Australia's training base in Kazan, which was nicknamed the KIS.Source: FOX SPORTS

No, it wasn’t 7-stars or anything like that, but it had everything you could possibly need under one roof.

Staff and security were on the first level, with the players and the social room on the second. In our social room we could have a coffee, play cards, a lot of the boys played board games and there was TV for us to watch the matches.

On the third level there were treatment rooms, recovery and testing.

Just a walk away was our dinner room where we ate all meals and then this massive area where we played pool, table tennis, had coffee.

There was an indoor swimming pool, steam and sauna rooms, meeting rooms and an indoor basketball court. We also had a makeshift changing room, where we each had our own changing area with our cap numbers, kit and boots.

Tim Cahill in the dressing room.Source: FOX SPORTS

From that base, we just had to walk another 200m to a stadium where our training facility was. We didn’t have to go anywhere else.

In Germany and South Africa you had to take a bus from your hotel to the training ground, in Brazil we needed a bus and escorts to get through the traffic.

What we had in Kazan was first class and I was really impressed with the FFA for finding that facility and understanding the needs of professional footballers.

WATCHING AS A FAN

The timezone here in America is perfect for watching the World Cup and I’m loving every minute of it.

Tim Cahill enjoying watching the rest of the World Cup as a fan.Source: FOX SPORTS

The Round of 16 was pure drama and I was impressed with how our Group opponents France dismantled Argentina.

It was really exciting coming up against them during the Group stages; for us to hold them and play such great football against them earned us respect from their side. It’s really important for these footballing powerhouses to respect us.

Tim Cahill with Paul Pogba.Source: FOX SPORTS

France weren’t unbelievable in their Group games, but they were just warming up. Their match against Argentina showed why they’re real contenders to win this World Cup and they’ve still got so much to give.

They’re mobile, they’re compact and disciplined, but then also have a lot of artillery, particularly in Kylian Mbappe who tore Argentina to shreds.

ENGLAND ALLEGIANCE

I’m an England supporter for now because I played there for most of my professional career for two of the best clubs, I believe, in Millwall and Everton.

Tim Cahill comes on for Millwall.Source: Getty Images

My dad is also English and I hold an English passport, so I’ve got a bit of an allegiance to them.

I think England will be feeling confident now that they’ve got the monkey off their backs by beating Colombia on penalties.

The most impressive thing about English teams now is that they look fit, dynamic, strong, and powerful. They’ve also got pace in the backline and the experience of John Stones, who looks so cool on the ball, while Harry Maguire is that traditional big, tough English defender.

They’ve got good balance in the midfield too; Deli Alli is the creative force, Jordan Henderson sits and holds and Eric Dier comes on towards the end.

But they’ve got the most lethal weapon up front in Harry Kane. He’ll go on to win the Golden Boot and I think he will do plenty of damage against Sweden.

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Damo Baresi	Damo Baresi Posted 6 Years Ago #2675286
Pro Group: Forum Members Posts: 1.7K, Visits: 0	Tim Cahill reflects on his fourth World Cup and provides a glimpse into the Socceroos Kazan camp WORLD CUP July 5, 2018 3:35pm by TIM CAHILL Source: FOX SPORTS Tim Cahill during Australia’s final World Cup group match against Peru.Source: AAP NOW that our tournament is over, it’s good to be a fan, sit back, and watch the rest of the World Cup play out. Of course we’d still love to be in Russia, but it just wasn’t meant to be for us. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to represent my country in four World Cups. Playing for my country is something I’ve always dreamt about since I was a kid and the World Cup is the biggest stage of all. Slater: Roos are overpaid 1:07 Quarterfinal Nizhny Novgorod Stadium Jul 7 2018 12:00AM $4.60 WIN $3.10 DRAW $2.00 WIN Kazan Arena Jul 7 2018 4:00AM $2.10 WIN $3.40 DRAW $3.70 WIN Samara Arena Jul 8 2018 12:00AM $4.80 WIN $3.25 DRAW $1.90 WIN Fisht Stadium Jul 8 2018 4:00AM $3.80 WIN $3.10 DRAW $2.20 WIN BEST MOMENTS OF THE WORLD CUP SO FAR FIFA FED UP WITH MARADONA Tim Cahill touches the post after the Socceroos loss to Peru.Source: AFP I’ve always played for the badge and never taken selection for granted. This World Cup meant so much to me because it was the hardest to qualify for, with must-win games like the ones we had against Syria and Honduras. Our preparation was full-on — I’ve never taken my foot off the gas and I’ve been driven mentally to stay focused on the end goal which was Russia. Tim Cahill with his family after the Socceroos lost to Peru.Source: FOX SPORTS I promised my family that after the World Cup my priority would be spending time with them, so that’s what I’m doing before I make any decisions about my future. I spent a long period away from them while I was at Millwall, and then there was the 40-day camp in Turkey and Russia. They managed to come to the last match against Peru in Sochi, but for now the most important thing for me is to spend time with my wife and kids. Tim Cahill with his family in Moscow.Source: Instagram SOCCEROOS CAMP I thought our preparation for the World Cup was faultless, particularly in terms of what was provided for us. We stayed in Kazan at a hockey facility, which we nicknamed the KIS (Kazan Institute of Sport), after the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport). It was probably one of the best set ups out of the four World Cups I’ve experienced with the Socceroos. Australia's training base in Kazan, which was nicknamed the KIS.Source: FOX SPORTS No, it wasn’t 7-stars or anything like that, but it had everything you could possibly need under one roof. Staff and security were on the first level, with the players and the social room on the second. In our social room we could have a coffee, play cards, a lot of the boys played board games and there was TV for us to watch the matches. On the third level there were treatment rooms, recovery and testing. Just a walk away was our dinner room where we ate all meals and then this massive area where we played pool, table tennis, had coffee. There was an indoor swimming pool, steam and sauna rooms, meeting rooms and an indoor basketball court. We also had a makeshift changing room, where we each had our own changing area with our cap numbers, kit and boots. Tim Cahill in the dressing room.Source: FOX SPORTS From that base, we just had to walk another 200m to a stadium where our training facility was. We didn’t have to go anywhere else. In Germany and South Africa you had to take a bus from your hotel to the training ground, in Brazil we needed a bus and escorts to get through the traffic. What we had in Kazan was first class and I was really impressed with the FFA for finding that facility and understanding the needs of professional footballers. WATCHING AS A FAN The timezone here in America is perfect for watching the World Cup and I’m loving every minute of it. Tim Cahill enjoying watching the rest of the World Cup as a fan.Source: FOX SPORTS The Round of 16 was pure drama and I was impressed with how our Group opponents France dismantled Argentina. It was really exciting coming up against them during the Group stages; for us to hold them and play such great football against them earned us respect from their side. It’s really important for these footballing powerhouses to respect us. Tim Cahill with Paul Pogba.Source: FOX SPORTS France weren’t unbelievable in their Group games, but they were just warming up. Their match against Argentina showed why they’re real contenders to win this World Cup and they’ve still got so much to give. They’re mobile, they’re compact and disciplined, but then also have a lot of artillery, particularly in Kylian Mbappe who tore Argentina to shreds. ENGLAND ALLEGIANCE I’m an England supporter for now because I played there for most of my professional career for two of the best clubs, I believe, in Millwall and Everton. Tim Cahill comes on for Millwall.Source: Getty Images My dad is also English and I hold an English passport, so I’ve got a bit of an allegiance to them. I think England will be feeling confident now that they’ve got the monkey off their backs by beating Colombia on penalties. The most impressive thing about English teams now is that they look fit, dynamic, strong, and powerful. They’ve also got pace in the backline and the experience of John Stones, who looks so cool on the ball, while Harry Maguire is that traditional big, tough English defender. They’ve got good balance in the midfield too; Deli Alli is the creative force, Jordan Henderson sits and holds and Eric Dier comes on towards the end. But they’ve got the most lethal weapon up front in Harry Kane. He’ll go on to win the Golden Boot and I think he will do plenty of damage against Sweden.
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