By Sebastian Hassett
Australian sport has always been able to count on a few undisputed truths in times of trouble: Newc's ace, Warnie's flipper, Campo's goose-step. Now, soon to be surely cast in bronze, we've got Timmy's jump.
That leap not only propelled the 178-centimetre Cahill into the Brisbane night sky during Thursday night's quarter-final against China, it propelled Australia into the final four of the Asian Cup. Two goals, totally different, but from a higher place.
The first turbocharged an ordinary game into life - after a listless opening 45 minutes - and will surely be goal of the tournament. An overhead kick, ripped straight from his Everton playbook during a match at Stamford Bridge, was the show-stopper. It skewed just enough to beat Wang Dalei.
The second goal won't make as many highlight reels, but, if you can, show it to your kids. The art of the leap, of timing, the direction, power and poise of the header. So textbook; the complete opposite to the first goal.
High times: Tim Cahill leaps to score against China in the Asian Cup.Credit: Reuters
But that's what makes Cahill so great. He can improvise to deliver what is required. And he still, at age 35, delivers goals. These were his 38th and 39th goals for Australia.
Can he make 50? Can he single-handedly defeat Japan? Or Iran? Suddenly nothing seems beyond him.
Those legs - they seem so small and innocous from afar - must be loaded with rust-proof springs in lieu of achillies. Not many people, especially footballers, seem to get younger with age. He's a medical marvel.
Ironically, Cahill can't be considered part of Ange Postecoglou's long-term thinking but, right now, he's bailing Postecoglou out. The coach certainly deserves time to mould this team but some were suggesting defeat to Team Dragon could bring pressure from above.
And were it not for the New York Red Bull, the 2-0 scoreline which flattered Australia would not have been reached. Not to say the Socceroos wouldn't have won - they might have - but Cahill's two glittering diamonds distracted from the lump of coal.
Five changes to the starting line-up were meant to bring the Socceroos back to the level of their opening two matches, but the whole team struggled early. The first 45 minutes saw possessional dominance but little else. China, with Wu Lei leading the counter-attack, looked dangerous.
It was hoped that Mark Bresciano and Mile Jedinak would bring something back into the line-up that was missing against South Korea. Experience and composure, primarily.
But early on, both found it hard to impose themselves. Jedinak's judgement was askew; the same could be said for Bresciano's touch. Both have much more to give.
Australia were fumbling for the ignition switch by the time of their first genuine chance, Mathew Leckie's 29th minute effort that Wang acrobatically saved. Temporarily, the crowd erupted in hope but soon resumed their relatively muted state.
That is not over-stating how quiet it was. The Australian active area behind the goal tried to make noise but were usually drowned out by the repetetive beating drum at the other end. This was a home game in name only; a stark contrast to the frenzied support in Melbourne, which was only half the size of this.
Equally, the fans didn't always have that much to cheer about. Chances were few and far between, so many forays of promise frittering into nothing, or worse, a Chinese counter-attack.
When the visitors did get their feet moving, it was Wu Lei they looked for. Advanced into a lone attacking role, Wu gave Australia's defence plenty of grief on his own.
Trent Sainsbury and Alex Wilkinson - former defensive partners at Central Coast - had to cover for the other more than once. Mathew Ryan, another ex-Mariner, had to step up between the posts.
The game opened up markedly in the second half but it was only Cahill who changed it. Although Australia had three or four other chances - some of which Wang brilliantly saved - China began getting forward, too, and Ryan's concentration had to be razor-sharp. He never even looked like letting his guard down.
The indisputable truth is that Australia will have to improve quite a bit before they get to Newcastle, regardless of whether they face Japan or the United Arab Emirates for a place in the final.
But the other indisputable truth? The Socceroos have Tim Cahill. Nobody else. And so long as he lives, breathes and pulls on that gold shirt, a nation can still dream.