Agence France-Presse | |
| Sunday, 31 May 2009 | |
Cahill pride despite Everton's final misery
Australia midfielder Tim Cahill insisted Everton had no reason to be ashamed after losing the FA Cup final to Chelsea.
Cahill choked back tears on the Wembley pitch after Saturday's 2-1 defeat but the Socceroos star had no intention of feeling sorry for himself for long.
Although Everton were briefly within touching distance of winning their first trophy for 14 years after Louis Saha gave them the lead just 25 seconds into the match, it was Chelsea who finished with the victory lap of honour.
The ecstacy of Saha's strike - the fastest goal in FA Cup final history - was replaced by agony as Didier Drogba equalised before the break and then Frank Lampard hit the second half winner.
Defeat was especially hard for Cahill to take as he had already lost one FA Cup final with Millwall against Manchester United in 2004.
But the 29-year-old, the first Australian to play in two FA Cup finals, took heart from the way his team-mates had dug deep to reach the final despite injuries to key players like Mikel Arteta and Ayegbeni Yakubu.
"The best thing about this team is we stuck together, no matter what," Cahill said.
"We've come so far with such a small squad and I'm just proud to be part of this team and wear this shirt.
"I'm just gutted because this was a chance to win some silverware.
"But we lose as team and win as a team. We're going to hold our heads up high and take this on the chin.
"We've had such a long season with such a small squad. I can't be happier playing with a group of lads like this. I just hope everything stays the same for next season."
As Cahill hid his face under his shirt at the full-time whistle, he was consoled by Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink, who grew to admire the midfielder during his spell as Australia coach.
Cahill was a key figure as Australia reached the last 16 of the 2006 World Cup under Hiddink and he was keen to share a few words of encouragement with his former player.
"I have a special relation with Tim Cahill," Hiddink said. "When I started working with the Australians they didn't have the confidence to qualify for the World Cup. He was one of the key players in that squad. You could use him anywhere.
"I was happy he missed the chance he had (in the final) but it was typical Tim to get in there. He is a big player and a big personality and a very beautiful player in the Premier League."
