SYDNEY: Australia striker Tim Cahill has announced his retirement from international football aged 38 and after his fourth World Cup.

Cahill announced his decision in a tweet Tuesday saying “today’s the day I’m officially hanging up my boots on my international career with the Socceroos. No words can describe what it has meant to represent my country.”

The former Everton star became the first Australian to play at four consecutive World Cups when he came off the bench in Australia’s 2-0 defeat to Peru in the group stages in Russia. Cahill retires as Australia’s leading goalscorer with 50 goals from 107 appearances.

He tweeted a “massive thank you to everyone for the support throughout all my years wearing the Australian badge.”

“I am incredibly proud to have had the opportunity to represent my country over 100 times. Every single cap has been an honor.”

Cahill made his international debut against South Africa in 2004 and has featured in some of Australia’s most famous wins in the past 14 years, joining a small and elite group by scoring at three World Cups. “My teammates from back in 2004 all the way through to now have pushed me to continue to improve and we have all shared in the highs and lows together,” Cahill said.

“I’ve had a terrific relationship with all the Socceroos staff including many different managers, coaches and behind the scenes staff. “The medical staff have done an amazing job in enabling me to keep playing throughout these 15 years.”

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2018