Want to help Indian football develop: Tim Cahill

Tim Cahill has joined Jamshedpur FC this season and has already raised the aspirations of the ISL newcomer.

Cahill said that he has been exposed to many cultures in his long playing career and is already beginning to feel at home after the big reception he has received on arrival. (File Photo)

As the Indian Super League (ISL) continued to introduce the big names of international football to the fans in the country, one of its latest marquee signings, Tim Cahill, hoped his presence will help the sport grow even bigger. The 38-year-old midfielder has joined Jamshedpur FC this season and has already raised the aspirations of the ISL newcomer.

“There is a lot of talk about Indian football doing well. With three Asian Cup and four World Cup appearances, I would like to contribute on the park as much as off it. I feel that I can help the sport in the country develop,” Cahill said during an ISL Media Day interaction.

Cahill, who attained legendary status becoming the top goal-scorer of the Asian champion Australia, said that he has been exposed to many cultures in his long playing career and is already beginning to feel at home after the big reception he has received on arrival. “I take great pride in playing and training. I would look to add more value than just being a marquee signing,” he added, when asked about what is expected of his performance.

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When asked about the format of the tournament and how he was going to tackle the stress, Cahill said that the things appear easier than what he expected. “I find it that there are only 18 matches per season with a good number of breaks in between. I am used to playing 30-40 matches per season. It is not long for me and I would like to make it the best season,” Cahill, who scored 50 goals in a career spanning well over a decade for Australia, said.

The Australian, who mixes skill and grit in good measure in his role as a box-to-box midfielder, said that he was impressed with the football “set-up” at Jamshedpur FC. “The set up at Jamshedpur FC is good. The Academy (TFA), the training ground and the future of the club really impressed me. The atmosphere here is also great as we have no distraction as players in Jamshedpur. We have our own complex, training pitch, gymnasium and an upcoming swimming pool. It is the perfect vision to help Indian football grow, something that excited me,” said Cahill, who will be missing Jamshedpur FC’s season opener against Mumbai City FC (on October 2) owing to a three-match suspension he picked up while turning out for his previous club Millwall FC.