The redoubtable Tim Cahill made his final international appearance for Australia last night after 14 years in the Green and Gold. He made his first appearance at age 24 and has now just turned 39, an age at which most footballers have long retired and some are even thinking about a managerial career. Remarkably, Cahill will continue playing at a club level in the Indian Super League.

Who can forget his brace against Japan in the opening game of the World Cup campaign in 2006? I was in Japan at the time, sitting in the lounge-room, uncertain how the Socceroos would fair against the talented Samurai Blue. Like John Aloisi's penalty-take the year before against Uruguay, it was a moment of surreal wonder. Then that goal against the Dutch in Brazil in 2014! (See gif below)

Cahill was the 100% football man, boundlessly competitive, athletic and often as not, lethal in front of goal. He was the last-man standing from the Golden Generation of footballers, all now retired.

Vale Tim Cahill.