Tim Cahill clashes with pitch invader in farewell Socceroos game

A Lebanese fan threatened to ruin Tim Cahill’s final appearance for the Socceroos when he ran onto the field in the dying stages.

There was no farewell goal but plenty of love for Cahill as the Socceroos’ all-time leading goalscorer bowed out a winner on Tuesday night.

However one fan took that love to the extreme.

Cahill only got to play the final 10 minutes of the Socceroos’ 3-0 win over Lebanon at ANZ Stadium, but an overzealous fan wasted some of that time when he ran onto the field.

The man, wearing a Lebanon shirt, made a beeline for Cahill and tried to hug him.

Cahill was clearly unimpressed by the delay, asking the man not to touch him before accepting his fate.

He then told the man in no uncertain terms to get off the field as security rounded him up and ushered him away.

Fans were left fuming that the pitch invader had wasted the little time Cahill had to score one final goal for his country.

Cahill’s incredible final gesture for fans

More than an hour after the final whistle, Cahill was still signing autographs and posing for photos with adoring fans and vowed to oblige every request before leaving ANZ Stadium.

“I’m still taking it all in, I’m embracing it,”‘ he told the media who spoke to him while he was still out on the ground.

“It’s everything you could dream of or wish for as a footballer at the end of your career as an international.

“Even leading into it I was really proud, really happy and content because I know everything I’ve ever done for my country has been for the right reasons, it’s not just about scoring.”

At least 10 minutes before he came on just after the 80th minute, the crowd chanted “We want Timmy.”

His name got the loudest reception when the team was announced before the game and any shot of him on the scoreboard also generated a huge cheer.

TIM CAHILL:

Age: 38

Caps 108

Goals: 50

Debut: v South Africa, March 30 2004, London

Last game: v Lebanon, November 20 2018, Sydney

with AAP