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The 2015 AFC Referees Special Award recipient will be flanked by assistant referees Abdulah Alshalwai and Mohammed Al Abakry. Earlier in the competition, the Saudi Arabian trio had also been appointed to oversee the Group A fixture between host Russia and Mexico in Kazan.

Al Mirdasi was the fourth official of the AFC Asian Cup 2015 final between eventual champions Australia and Korea Republic, and took charge of the group stage matches between Oman and Kuwait as well as Jordan and Iraq. Al Mirdasi and Alshalwai also officiated in the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup final where Serbia defeated Brazil 2-1 after extra time.

This is the second time this week that Asian referees have impressed on the world stage after the Islamic Republic of Iran trio – Alireza Faghani, Reza Sokhandan and Mohammadreza Mansouri – were chosen to officiate the semi-final clash between Portugal and Chile on Wednesday.

Uzbekistan’s Ravshan Irmatov and Alshalwai were also appointed as Video Assistant Referees in the closely contested encounter which saw Chile book their place in the coveted final.

Photo: FIFA 

The 2015 AFC Referees Special Award recipient will be flanked by assistant referees Abdulah Alshalwai and Mohammed Al Abakry. Earlier in the competition, the Saudi Arabian trio had also been appointed to oversee the Group A fixture between host Russia and Mexico in Kazan.

Al Mirdasi was the fourth official of the AFC Asian Cup 2015 final between eventual champions Australia and Korea Republic, and took charge of the group stage matches between Oman and Kuwait as well as Jordan and Iraq. Al Mirdasi and Alshalwai also officiated in the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup final where Serbia defeated Brazil 2-1 after extra time.

This is the second time this week that Asian referees have impressed on the world stage after the Islamic Republic of Iran trio – Alireza Faghani, Reza Sokhandan and Mohammadreza Mansouri – were chosen to officiate the semi-final clash between Portugal and Chile on Wednesday.

Uzbekistan’s Ravshan Irmatov and Alshalwai were also appointed as Video Assistant Referees in the closely contested encounter which saw Chile book their place in the coveted final.

Photo: FIFA 

The 39-year-old will be joined by Iranian assistant referees Reza Sokhandan and Mohammadreza Mansouri as well as fourth official Fahad Al Mirdasi of Saudi Arabia. Uzbekistan’s Ravshan Irmatov and Abdulah Alshalwai from Saudi Arabia have also been appointed as Video Assistant Referees (VAR) with Jair Marrufo from the U.S.A. completing the team as the Assistant VAR.

Faghani, Sokhandan and Mansouri, who oversaw the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 Group B match between Germany and Chile, made history in 2016 by becoming the first Asian trio to officiate the final of the Men's Olympic Football Tournament when they took charge of the Brazil versus Germany gold medal match in Rio de Janeiro.

In 2015, the trio officiated the FIFA Club World Cup final between Barcelona and River Plate in Tokyo. Faghani and Sokhandan were assigned to the final match between Korea Republic and host nation Australia during the hugely successful 2015 AFC Asian Cup.

Photo: FIFA/Getty Images

“It was fantastic to see Tim reach the 100-cap milestone in front of the football world at the Confederations Cup,” Lowy said from Russia. “It was an occasion befitting Tim’s contribution to Australian football and the Socceroos.

“Playing 100 matches for the Socceroos is a tremendous achievement and on behalf of the entire football community I would like to congratulate Tim. He now joins Mark Schwarzer in a very illustrious group.”

Gallop added: “Tim has long been regarded as one of our greatest ever Socceroos and his performances transcend sport across the entire Australian community. When people think Australian football they think Tim Cahill and the impact he has had on Australian football is unrivalled – on and off the pitch.

“He rightfully takes his place on the very top shelf of Australian sport, not just Australian football.”

Cahill made his Socceroos debut against South Africa in March 2004 after a lengthy battle with FIFA to change National Team eligibility rules that at the time had him pegged to Western Samoa, for whom he made an appearance as an U-20 international as a 14-year-old.

He went on to represent Australia in every major international tournament including the 2004 Olympic Games, 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2007, 2011 and 2015 AFC Asian Cups but it was on the biggest stage in world football where he left his greatest impression.

In 2006, Cahill made Australian sporting history by becoming the first Australian to score a goal at the World Cup when he netted a brace in a breathtaking eight-minute period that also saw the Socceroos register their first win at the World Cup, a 3-1 triumph over Japan.

Another goal at the 2010 World Cup against Serbia reminded the world of his ability to make an impact on the biggest stage before he took it to another level at the 2014 World Cup.

His goal against the Netherlands in Brazil will be forever replayed in World Cup highlights but Cahill had earlier joined an illustrious group of players (Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben, Roberto Baggio, Jurgen Klinsmann and Lothar Matthaus) to score at three consecutive World Cups when he netted in the opening match against Chile.

A goal for the Socceroos at the 2018 World Cup could see him join Brazilian legend Pele and Germany’s Uwe Seeler as the only men to score in four World Cups.

Cahill led the Socceroos into action in his 100th match at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow and was a driving force behind Australia's memorable performance against Chile, ending in a 1-1 draw.

Right from the opening whistle, the same character, class and tenacity that Cahill has exhibited in his career spread throughout the 11 Socceroos players who outplayed one of the world’s best football teams.

It was the perfect illustration of the way Ange Postecoglou wants the team to play and a fitting tribute to Cahill’s 100^th Socceroos cap.

“It was fitting that Tim led the team as Captain against Chile,” Gallop added. “Throughout the last few years he has played a leadership role during the team's evolution under Ange Postecoglou and it added to his achievement that he walked onto the pitch for the 100^th time as a Socceroo as the captain.”

Top 10 Socceroos A Internationals

109         Mark Schwarzer
100         Tim Cahill
98           Lucas Neill
95           Brett Emerton
87           Alex Tobin
84           Mark Bresciano
84           Paul Wade
80           Luke Wilkshire
76           Tony Vidmar
71           Mile Jedinak

*Sources: Football Federation Australia & **Lagardère Sports*

• Australia finish third in Group B. Chile and Germany go through
• Game saw Tim Cahill earn his 100th cap for the Socceroos

• Australia remain third in Group B with one point
• The Socceroos have one Group Stage game remaining - against Chile on Sunday
• In the day's other game world champions Germany drew 1-1 with table-topping Chile

• Mark Milligan joined an elite group of Socceroos as skipper at a world tournament
• Milligan has now captained Australia at three major tournaments
• The Socceroos face a crucial encounter with Cameroon on Thursday

It was a cruel blow for a 18-year-old, doubly so given the injury came literally on the eve of the team’s departure. Who knew if it would be his only shot at glory. After all, it proved to be the case for many of his Young Socceroos' team-mates.

Despite that, or perhaps because of it, Milligan has made every post a winner. Milligan, along with Tim Cahill, is the only Australian player to feature in three FIFA World Cup squads.

On Monday in Sochi, Milligan donned the captain’s armband in place of the injured Mile Jedinak to lead Australia out in the team’s FIFA Confederations Cup opener against Germany. In the process he joined an elite eight-man club to have captained Australia at a major tournament. Milligan’s name now sits alongside the likes of Mark Viduka, Lucas Neill, Paul Okon and Socceroos’ 1974 World Cup cult hero Peter Wilson.

Unlikely feat 
In doing so, Milligan completed a rare treble. He also skippered Australia at the 2008 Olympic Football Tournament, and at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup—the latter appointment made by current Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou.

“To represent your country is always extremely exciting, but to captain this group of boys at a tournament like this is a great honour,” said Milligan.

Australia head into the first-ever match against Cameroon knowing they need a point – and likely a win – if they are to stay alive in the competition. The challenge for the Socceroos is to bounce back from an opening 3-2 defeat against Germany, a match marked by a disastrous opening 45 minutes and conceding goals early in each period.

Nevertheless there are positives for an Australian side who are dogmatic in adhering to their attacking playing style, regardless of the opponent. Last Monday’s match in Sochi was the first time Germany had conceded twice since being knocked out of UEFA EURO by France this time last year.

“We didn’t start well, but we finished strongly so we take confidence from the way we finished the match,” said Milligan.

“Cameroon are a good side and played very well against Chile. They had some very good moments against Chile, and were unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. They will be a little bit of a different challenge to Germany.”

Sources: FIFA.com & Getty Images

The 2001 edition saw Japan reach the final, Korea Republic set the platform for their 2002 World Cup heroics, and a future AFC member, Australia, shine.

Korea sow the seeds of future glory

• Stindl, Draxler & Goretzka goals see Germany to opening win
• Rogic equaliser & Juric consolation in vain. Australia third in group
• Next games: Cameroon v Australia, Germany v Chile (both June 22)

Despite a bright start by the Socceroos, Julian Brandt's run and clever cutback teed up Lars Stindl to open the scoring, with his first goal for Germany on five minutes.

Joachim Low's side were, however, punished for not increasing their lead after concerted pressure, as Tom Rogic's shot squirmed underneath Bernd Leno to bring the reigning AFC Asian Cup champions level.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Within five minutes, Leon Goretzka was brought down by Massimo Luongo in the Australian penalty area and captain Julian Draxler stepped up to slot the ball home, sending Maty Ryan the wrong way.

After the break, Joshua Kimmich's lovely dinked through ball teed up Goretzka to extend the German lead, before Leno spilled a deflected Rogic shot into the path of Tomi Juric, whose goal was validated by a VAR review. Substitute Timo Werner later hit the post as Germany controlled proceedings despite the slender lead.

Australia: ROGIC 41', JURIC 56'
Germany: STINDL 5', DRAXLER 44' PEN, GORETZKA 48'

• Tim Cahill lines up for Australia at the age of 37
• With goals in three World Cups, Cahill has a knack for scoring on the big stage
• Cahill says he is fit and ready to contribute at Russia 2017

As a teenager Cahill was told he was too small to make it. A brief quarter-hour cameo for Samoa in a youth tournament as a 14-year-old delayed his debut for Australia until he was 24.

Three years ago, Cahill trudged off the pitch in Porto Alegre having scored one of the FIFA World Cup’s most spectacular goals the tournament had ever seen. Cahill’s career obituaries were written, and understandably so. After all he was 34, and modern football can be a young man’s game, But Australia’s greatest-ever goalscorer possesses a special mentality, one that is admired by many and matched by few.

Now three years on he is back at a major FIFA tournament, preparing to do battle with world champions Germany in the Socceroos’ opening match of the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017. 

Cahill, quite rightly, couldn’t be prouder of his achievement. “Being in this Confederations Cup was the first thing for me as a player to just get here,” he said. “I’m here now and for all us 23 players it is about contributing.

“My aim is to be at this competition and be ready for five minutes or 95 minutes. You have to be ready, if not you have no place here (at international level).”

The Socceroos, who qualified for the global gathering after winning the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, face world champions Germany in their Group B opener on Monday, and despite Tuesday’s hefty 4-0 friendly defeat to Brazil, Postecoglou is adamant that his charges are aiming high.

“We want to win it,” he said.

“I know after [the Brazil game] that probably sounds ridiculous, but I took this job with the intent of being as ambitious as I possibly can for Australian football.

“When you’re ambitious you have spectacular failures and spectacular successes. I’m not going to coach in between, just notch up a stint for my country as a coach flat-lining. Let’s go there and see what we can do. 

“The first game is obviously critical. If we get a result against Germany then it’s that kind of competition that you’ve got a chance.”

Australia head into the Confederations Cup occupying third place in Group B of the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. 

With only the top two sides assured of a ticket to next year’s finals, and crunch games against Japan and Thailand to come in August and September respectively, Postecoglou believes a positive showing at the Confederations Cup could well boost his side’s qualification hopes.

"We want to make sure we give a good account of ourselves and try and get as far in the tournament as we possibly can,” explained the former Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory tactician. 

"That'll help us with [World Cup] qualification as well. If you can do it against the best in the world and continue to develop and evolve then you've got more chance of being competitive and making an impact at a World Cup." 

Australia Confederations Cup Fixtures:

June 19 v Germany (Sochi)

June 22 v Cameroon (St Petersburg)

June 25 v Chile (Moscow)

Photo: Lagardère Sports

With the likes of Tim Cahill and rising star Aaron Mooy in their ranks, the Socceroos - who won the AFC Asian Cup on home soil in 2015 to earn their place at the global extravaganza - are set to begin their campaign against reigning world champions Germany in Sochi on June 19, before facing Cameroon three days later at Saint Petersburg’s Krestovsky Stadium.

Ange Postecoglou’s charges will then complete their group fixtures against Chile in Moscow on June 25.

All eight squad lists are available here.

Photo: Lagardère Sports