Tim Cahill's benching is the 'best way to go' for Socceroos, says Ange Postecoglou

Australia had a walk in the park against Bangladesh in their World Cup qualifier in Perth on Thursday. Australian Socceroos dominated the Bangladeshis 5-0, but Tim Cahill, the club’s record international goal-scorer, had limited action despite being announced as the stand-in skipper for the qualifier.

Cahill, who played for American side New York Redbulls, only appeared for a half-four cameo off the bench, but even without the magic touch of “Tiny Tim,” Australia still managed to brush off a hapless Bangladesh team. However, according to Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou, there is a reason for benching Cahill from the world qualifier game at nib Stadium.

Postecoglou, who became Socceroos’ coach in 2013, said the decision to bench Cahill does not mean the Shanghai Shenhua forward will be starting to play a limited role. The 50-year-old coach said he excluded Cahill from the starting lineup because he wanted a more “mobile” team to attack Bangladesh from the outset.

"Tonight we put out a team we thought would be really mobile and test the opposition and give an opportunity to some guys who need more experience at international level,” Postecoglou said, the ABC reported.

Postecoglou also confessed that there is no guaranteed spot in his side, but Cahill will remain a key player for Australia in the Socceroos’ journey to the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Postecoglou added that “Timmy” still has a lot to offer for Australia, although the Australian coach admitted the team needs to continue to look for ways to improve to challenge the best teams in the world.

"Timmy came on and he was like a bull at the gate, ready to go. We have got him for the second game (against Tajikistan in Dushanbe) now, which is good for us,” Postecoglou said, reports SBS.

Cahill is now composed to start in the team’s clash against Tajikistan next week in Dushanbe, which will be a far tougher assignment for the Socceroos. The 35-year-old Cahill continues to prove his critics wrong and remains in top form for his Chinese club, putting away seven goals in his last 10 games.

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