Two glorious goals against Japan that rescued Australias World Cup dreams in 2006. One against Serbia as the Socceroos battled to make the last 16 in South Africa 2010. And two in Brazil 2014, one to put Australia back into the match in the opener against Chile, the second a wonder strike to drag the Socceroos level against The Netherlands in Porto Alegre.
Five memorable goals at three World Cups.
Team goal: Tim Cahill trains with the Socceroos in Kazan.
Photo: AAP
And if Tim Cahill can strike again in Russia he will join one of the most elite clubs in global sport – players who have scored at four World Cups.
Of the legends, only Pele has managed such a feat, alongside the great German strikers Uwe Seeler and Miroslav Klose.
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Cahill would be in rare air indeed can he equal them.
And the boots he plans to wear in Russia will serve as a constant reminder of the challenge he faces.
They will carry five soccer balls as details on the ankle of his boot to remind him of the goals he has already scored as well as commemorating his children, sons Kyah, Shae and Cruz and daughter Sienna, whose names are also etched on the shoes.
Feet first: Tim Cahill's personalised boots for the World Cup.
Photo: AAP
Now 38, the veteran is still held in huge regard by his younger teammates, not just for his goalscoring feats but for the impact he has
on the teammates around him.
Aziz Behich, Australias left back, said: Tim is first and foremost a great guy on and of the pitch. He is someone you can go up to and talk to and get advice because he is much older than us.
On the pitch he is a true leader, not just with his talking but the way he trains and looks after himself and cares for his body.
Cahill with Bert van Marwijk in Russia.
Photo: AAP
You grow up watching him, being at a World Cup now next to him is something special.
He is a true leader and, most importantly, hes a great guy off the park, behich added.
Western Sydneys Socceroo defender Josh Risdon added: Its pretty surreal for me. Its his fourth World Cup, and when you are sitting in the dressing room with him it makes a really big impact when you see what he has done at club level and for his country.
Its a massive pinch yourself moment to be sharing a dressing room with him.
Striker Mathew Leckie has played more than 50 times for Australia, many of them with Cahill.
''He's meant a lot to me. He's a great guy, coming into a camp meeting such a legend of the game, you never know what to expect, what type of person they are," he said.
"He's positve and very good to young players, he helps them out straightaway and he is open to chatting to anyone. You know you can always talk to him."
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