It's not exactly a surprise, but it's now official: Tim Cahill will lead Australia on home soil as they seek to win their first-ever Asian Cup, as he was named on Monday to the Socceroos' 23-man squad for the 2015 tournament, set to take place from Jan. 9 to Jan. 31.
Cahill, a midfielder for the New York Red Bulls and veteran of three World Cups, will be hoping he can lead his team one step further after they fell to Japan in the final of the 2011 tournament. He previously won an OFC Nations Cup in 2004 with Australia, but the team has yet to capture an international title since switching affiliations from Oceania to Asia in 2006.
The 35-year-old recently declared his intention to keep playing at both the club and international levels beyond the end of his Red Bulls contract after the 2015 season.
- The latest Red Bulls news and notes from NewYorkRedBulls.com
Cahill may not be the only MLS-based player to take part in the upcoming tournament. Columbus Crew midfielder Justin Meram has been training with the Iraqi national team in their preparations for the tournament, while Vancouver Whitecaps defender Steven Beitashour has been in camp with Iran as recently as October after having been on the Team Melli roster for the 2014 World Cup.
Australia will open the tournament on Jan. 9 against Kuwait, face Oman on Jan. 13, and conclude group-stage play against South Korea on Jan. 17. The final is set for Jan. 31 at Sydney's Stadium Australia.
