He made headlines all over the globe during Saturday night but Tim Cahill says the most important part of City’s Melbourne Derby win was the delight he saw in the stands after the match.
The Socceroos star has played in derbies around the world – his biggest being the Merseyside derby with Everton – and says what drives the matches to be so passionate on and off the park is what the game means to the fans.
“(Saturday) was a great game for us for the fact that what it meant for the city, the fans. We went into the game low-key, we didn’t say much, we just listened what was going on across the park,” Cahill said.
“You’ve got to see not only for me, but all of our players, it was a special feeling when you win. Every single thing we did was perfect and we can still improve but everyone is buzzing.
“It’s a special day because for our fans, it’s so important because that’s what derbies are all about.”
Cahill spoke to the media on Sunday and it was no surprise what their questions were about after his 40 yard screamer that almost broke the internet but Cahill says it didn’t matter if his effort went into row z, it was about the intent and desperation his side showed across the park that set the tone for the match.
“It was just the moment, you’re in the game and that’s what I’ve done my whole career. It was just a moment and I had taken it.
“It was more setting the tone for the game and the goal was fantastic, it was awesome for me but more importantly it was what happened after that, that’s the goal. I said to Bruno last night that he scored the goal I should have scored so it was a good feeling.
“We spoke about it after the game, we won on Saturday but we need to put that to one side. The quicker we focus on Perth and know what it means to get another three points and the feeling we had at the derby, the better it will be.
“All the boys were spent and we know it hurts when you have to do something hard, you don’t come off the pitch feeling great, everyone is knackered but it’s a mental thing.
“We want the fans to come out again like they did. We’ll go there with the same thought process, respect them, do our talking on the pitch and show our intent.”
Cahill and City now turn to Friday night as they look to continue their perfect start to the season against Perth. With both sides unbeaten so far this season, Friday’s clash at AAMI Park is shaping up to be an important contest heading into Tuesday’s FFA Cup Semi Final against Victory.
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