Cahill made his debut for the national team back in 2004 in a friendly against South Africa at Loftus Road. If the 37-year old reaches 100 caps he will become only the second Australian to have ever hit that figure, with Mark Schwarzer the green and gold's all-time leader with 109 appearances.

The midfielder-turned-striker has had an amazing career at international level, spanning three World Cups and three Asian Cups, including Australia's win on home soil in 2015.

Cahill admits that reaching the 100-game mark figure is special, but is adamant he won't get caught up in the emotion of it.

"To finally get here now is pretty special," he told the press.

"For me every game when you put on the Socceroos jersey is special. To get here is a long time coming but it's not something that's been on the back of my mind where I have to get to 100 caps. The big thing about the Chile game is its a big game for us in the group.

"I won't get emotional because there's no real difference with games. I think you get emotional after when the game's over and you look at it. I've lucky enough to be part of some amazing campaigns with the Socceroos over the last 12 years and see great transitions.

"But I'm not emotional about what I do, that's business when it comes down to playing. I'm emotional on the pitch when it comes to winning challenges and trying to win a game. But I can't put more onus on this.

"If anything I have to put it to the back of my mind and after the game we can talk about the 100 games."



Cahill's international career was almost stillborn after an appearance for Western Samoa as a 14-year old. A FIFA rule change in 2004 allowed Frank Farina to finally select him for the Socceroos.

The Melbourne City forward's time in the national team set-up over 13 years has included nine different coaches, including caretaker managers, and he has scored 48 goals to make him Australia's all-time leading goalscorer.

Cahill said playing for his family and representing them has always been his main motivation.

"I think I was 24 or something when I made my debut," he said.

"When you look at when I very first started, with Frank Farina, people starting to hear about this boy playing at Millwall. But I think everyone's paid a massive part. The biggest thing is I've always played for my family regardless of whatever's happen, good or day, on or off the park, and I still play for my family today.

"It's a long time thinking back to Samoa, and to be released to play for Australia, which now has been an amazing journey."

Cahill said the Socceroos will go into the game with Chile in Moscow confident after analysing their draw with Cameroon.

"You say they had 17 shots but 14 of them hit row Z," he said.

"And when we looked at the way we played, the way we kept the ball, the way we moved it, even penetrated in the final third. I think it's a process and our analysis goes into much deeper about what we're all about and there's a strong belief on how we can change a game.

"Things don't happen overnight but we're preparing for the World Cup... We know we can do it (beat Chile). All we have to do is worry about what's happening inside this camp. We haven't taken our foot off the gas. We haven't been fazed by anything."