Tim Cahill cops backlash over bizarre post about Matildas before semi-final

Socceroos legend Tim Cahill has divided Aussie fans after posting his own World Cup highlights in combination with a message to the Matildas ahead of Wednesday night's semi-final. The Matildas are looking to make more history on Wednesday as they take on England in their first-ever women's World Cup semi-final in Sydney.

Australia is rallying behind the national team with the quarter-final against France breaking records as the most watched national event since 2000. Former Socceroos coach and current Tottenham manager Ange Postecolgou has backed the Matildas, with Aussie cricketer David Warner and Boomers star Patty Mills all sending their support.

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Australian football icon Cahill is always the first to support the national football teams and has once again wished the Matildas the best ahead of their clash against World No.4 England. However, the Socceroos' all-time leading goal-scorer drew some backlash after a rather self-indulgent move on Wednesday.

"Happy Matildas Day," a social media post from Cahill read. Alongside the message, Cahill reposted a video from the FIFA World Cup's official page of some of his most iconic moments - which featured goals he scored at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.

Fans were left pretty unimpressed that Cahill had taken some of the spotlight away from the Matildas, accusing the Socceroos legend of making the post about him. There is no doubt Cahill is building anticipation for the most highly-anticipated sporting event in recent Australian history. And the 2023 World Cup has proven that the Matildas are Australia's national team.

But the home World Cup has given them the chance to write their own chapter and step out of the shadow of the men's game, which has cast a large shadow for more than a century. Cahill's post drew backlash, with many calling him out for posting highlights of the men's World Cup.

"It's not about you today champ," one user wrote on his post. "Like clockwork," another fan wrote. Many fans defended him and claimed he was trying to promote the game, but others weren't impressed.

The Socceroos great had already backed the Matildas to make history at this World Cup. After their win in the quarter-final against France, Cahill claimed the Aussie outfit had the class to go all the way.

"(The Matildas) are continuing to hit milestones," Cahill said. "When you've got an Australian player playing for Real Madrid, Chelsea or Arsenal, (their achievements) are not a surprise.

"If anything, it's sort of similar to the generation we had when we were playing overseas, so I'm very proud. You can see that they are together with how they rode the storm."

Matildas could smash Australian TV record against England

Regardless, the Matildas will welcome his support with the nation watching on with history beckoning. And the Matildas could set a national record in the process. To prove just how the Matildas have united the nation, an average of 4.17 million tuned in to the quarter-final against France, with the Seven Network also enjoying a record 472,000 viewers streaming the game on their digital platform 7Plus.

A peak audience of 7.2 million tuned in as the Matildas advanced after a 7-6 penalty shootout victory. And with the semi-final against the old enemy, England, records could be shattered on Wednesday night.

Will Sam Kerr start against England?

Ahead of the clash, most of Australia is talking about the possibility of Sam Kerr starting her first World Cup game. The dynamic forward came on against France and provided Australia with the much needed lift heading into extra-time.

She looks to have put her left calf issues behind her, but on Tuesday she was spotted with strapping and ice on her right calf. Nine News captured the moment Kerr walked into the Matildas' team hotel after training with the heavy bandaging and an ice pack on her lower leg.

“Kerr’s right leg, the good leg, was heavily strapped when she returned to the team hotel after training,” Nine News reported. Whether or not the ailment is serious remains to be seen, and there's also the possibility that Kerr and the Matildas could be playing mind games with the media and their opponents.

Coach Tony Gustavsson is yet to confirm whether Kerr is fit enough to start the semi-final.

When do the Matildas play England in World Cup semi-final?

The Matildas - having made history by winning through to a World Cup semi-final for the first time ever - now turn their attention to trying to topple European champions, England. The Aussies will battle their old enemy on Wednesday night at 8pm in front of a sold-out Stadium Australia in Sydney for a place in the final.

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