(Sports) Let Cahill play his magic: Australian coach

Australian head coach Ange Postecoglou was with all compliment to veteran striker Tim Cahill who scored the only two goals in the match between Australia and China on Thursday's 2015 Asian Cup quarterfinal.

"It took a Timmy special to do it, but once we got it we never looked back. I still think in that penalty box he's world class," Postecoglous said.

The 35-year-old striker was named Player of the Match. He broke the balance of the match after a no-goal first half by delivering an acrobatic overhead kick in the 48th minute and a landmark header in the 65th minute.

The coach said the Chinese team was well organized and very disciplined. He admitted that China had given Australia a hard time in the first half.

"It was a tough game, we knew China would be a very difficult opponent... they worked very hard defensively," Postecoglou said.

"They were working their socks off, they were closing our spaces and making it really hard for us but while they were doing it they were using energy and I said to the boys at half-time, just keep the ball moving and eventually they'll break down," he said.

"And once Timmy produced his magic, we never looked back."

Cahill agreed that China had a very impressive performance in the first half.

"China was very impressive the first half... A lot of credit has to go to China. In the first half they had me wrapped up, I couldn't move, they were holding me but I had to wait for my chance and I took two of them tonight out of three and I'm pretty happy," Cahill said.

Postecoglou said despite the difficulties in the first half, his players stayed with the original plan.

"I'm really proud of the fact the boys stuck to the game plan... credit to the players, they were fantastic."

For Cahill, who started on the bench in Australia's previous match against South Korea, Postecoglou showed confidence in his arrangement.

"We've managed him really well and we get the best out of him and maybe people will see some wisdom in us leaving him out against (South) Korea."

"We've got to make sure that players like him, we use to the maximum of their ability and understand that we can't just flog him out there."

"It feels good," said Cahill. "I was confident after the (South) Korea game that we could bounce back, especially with the way we played."

"I'm proud of the boys, but most of all this is a big win for us. It's something I knew deep down was going to happen before the game because I believe in this team and it showed in the end." Endi