Cahill, Kewell look to 2014 - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Cahill, Kewell look to 2014

24/06/2010 01:52:16 PM Comments (0)

Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell have pledged themselves to Australia's 2014 World Cup campaign after the Socceroos' brave and fruitless fight to get out of the group stage in South Africa.

Both key players say they can continue their international careers into their mid-30s and will keep playing for their country if picked.

Should both continue until the next World Cup, Cahill would be aged 34 and Kewell 35.

In Kewell's case, the injuries that have plagued his career might be the key to whether he carry through on his good intentions.

Cahill, who netted his 21st goal in 42 appearances in the 2-1 win over Serbia on Wednesday which wasn't enough to lift the Socceroos out of Group D, says injuries are the only thing that will end his international career.

"I'm a very proud Australian. I'll keep playing for as long as I can," Cahill said.

"I give everything - the only thing that will stop me is serious injury."

And Kewell said he would even consider running out in next January's Asian Cup in Qatar if selected by the Socceroos' new coach.

"If I'm selected, yeah," Kewell said.

"I think my brief 25 minutes in the World Cup was enough to show people that I'm back.

"It was a shame that it didn't last."

When asked if he had played his last World Cup game, Kewell said: "No, I don't think I have."

While several other veterans are set to retire from international football after the World Cup, skipper Lucas Neill has also pledged to keep going and has also earmarked the Asian Cup.

"As long as I can continue to perform consistently at a level, of course I'm going to help out for the country," Neill said.

"I want to win something for this country.

"I want to give something to these younger guys who might need a bit of guidance.

"The Asian Cup has got to be a target of ours.

"Let's try and go for some glory."

The Socceroos' cursed World Cup meant they were never able to get both Kewell and Cahill on the park at the same time after Cahill's send-off against Germany followed by Kewell's red card in the 1-1 draw with Ghana.

But the Socceroos at least exited the tournament with dignity, with a spirited showing against the more favoured and higher ranked Serbians.

Germany's 1-0 victory over Ghana in the other Group D match played simultaneously in Johannesburg effectively finished off the Socceroos regardless of their best efforts at Nelspruit's Mbombela Stadium.

Australia finished equal with Ghana on four points behind group winners Germany, but missed out on second place and qualification for the round of 16 on goal difference.

Against Serbia, the Socceroos recovered from being under heavy first half pressure to perform magnificently in the second.

They netted goals through Cahill and substitute Brett Holman in a manic five-minute period which threatened to turn the group on its head.

But in the end, it wasn't enough to overcome the heavy goal difference differential they needed to oust the Ghanaians from qualification.

The Socceroos' slim hopes were dashed entirely when Serbia netted a late goal through substitute Marko Pantelic in the 83rd minute as the Socceroos committed numbers forward.

Holman ended the tournament as the Socceroos' best player and top scorer with two of their three goals.

But coach Pim Verbeek exits the Socceroos job with question marks over the tactical and personnel changes which contributed to the side's 4-0 opening match hammering by Germany that ultimately proved their downfall.

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