Tim Cahill remains the team’s undoubted star and talisman with a stunning goal ratio from midfield and equally remarkable heading ability despite his modest stature. Cahill was the only Australian player to score a goal at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and will be in his third participation at the final phase of the World Cup. Aged 34, Cahill is the oldest player in a squad with an average age of 25 years and will therefore be expected to transmit his experience to the younger generation of players.

Cahill is well known in Britain where he played for fourteen years with Mill wall and Everton before moving to the United States of America where he current plays for the New York Red Bulls. However, he doesn’t fit well in his coach’s criteria for selection which were “fitness and an eye for the future” given that he is just returning from injury and old. It is certain he was selected for his leadership and scoring skills. Tim Cahill will be assisted by Crystal Palace’s Jerdinak Mile who will be wearing the captainship band and Mark Bresciano who also survived the regeneration storm.

Long-serving skipper and central defender Lucas Neill remain the backbone of the team and has never let his country down regardless of domestic form. A two-goal showing at South Africa 2010 has seen Brett Holman’s profile and importance to the team take a sharp upward trajectory with the midfielder displaying versatility and an impressive short passing game.