Everton star Tim Cahill almost created a mirror image of the Socceroos clash with Japan in Germany 2006 with a two-goal effort in Melbourne last night. Similar to that match in Kaiserslautern, the Socceroos were a goal down until Cahill scored twice to turn the contest around and eventually take the points.

Last night, Cahill got his side back on level terms with a brilliant header in the 59th minute before tapping home from close range 18 minutes later to guide his team to a win, prompting praise from coach Pim Verbeek.

"Timmy of course is a great player. If you see the work he is doing for the team, defensively always supporting the strikers," said Verbeek at last night's post-match press conference.

"Of course the first goal was fantastic, what a great goal that was.

"It is fantastic for the team to have a player like that, that you know he will always do what he has to do and that's scoring goals.

"Especially that it was his 47th or 48th game of the season, so that says enough of his mentality.

"He's a great example for every Australian football player."