23 Jan 2015

Cahill scores screamer as Australia win

2:32 pm on 23 January 2015

A spectacular Tim Cahill goal has helped Australia move through to the semi-finals of the Asian Cup football competition after beating China 2-0 in Brisbane.

Tim Cahill

Tim Cahill Photo: AFP

While his team-mates struggled in front of goal, Cahill came to Australia's rescue again with a brace.

Both of his goals came in the second half but it was the first, four minutes after the re-start, that will be remembered for years to come.

Cahill has made a habit of scoring stunning goals for his country - most memorably his volley against the Netherlands in last year's World Cup - but Thursday night's is perhaps his finest.

The 35-year-old leapt into the air and performed the overhead bicycle kick, angling the ball across the six-yard box past the astonished Chinese goalkeeper.

Already Australia's all-time leading scorer, Cahill's brace lifted his international tally to 39 goals from 80 appearances and saved his country's blushes.

The Australians will now play either Japan or the United Arab Emirates in next week's semi-finals. South Korea will face Iran or Iraq in the other semi.