Cahill was the first of the Socceroos to arrive back in Australia today and spoke with reporters at Sydney Airport describing his experiences during the 2010 World Cup.

"I'm proud for the nation," Cahill told Fox Sports. "For me, it's a dream come true to play in a second World Cup. I can't ask for anything more, because the fans were fantastic.

"We flew the flag well and we beat a very good Serbian side."

Despite failing to reach the Round of 16, Cahill preferred to focus on the positives, especially following the victory over Serbia.

"That's the main thing... yesterday was the positives, (David) Carney, Brett Holman and Meggsy (Michael Beauchamp)," Cahill said.

"He (Beauchamp) trains so hard and always keeps to himself. Bang, he's straight in there because of the suspension, but you wouldn't have thought it because he wasn't a fish out of water.

"So I'm so proud of the lads that come on, Carl Valeri too.

"We've been together for a long time and to have some of the comments thrown at us as a team was hard to take because we fight if we're losing 6-0 and we'll fight if we're winning 6-0. I'm proud."

The Everton midfielder went onto describe the bittersweet feeling in the Australian dressing rooms after the Serbia win which wasn't enough for the Socceroos to progress.

"It was mixed, but I just tried to stay positive," he said.

"I think this whole World Cup, to reflect on what we've learned and learning some big lessons, with red cards, training hard, adversity, 4-0 defeats, having to get back up, a draw against Ghana where we maybe should've got a better result and then yesterday where we possibly could've won the game 6-3.

"I was very proud. I got straight back in and stuck on Men At Work Down Under the song to try and keep the lads in good spirits.

"What we've done is an amazing achievement, four points in a massive tournament. All the people who've worked so hard in the FFA, hopefully we've earned our value in being there and we did our country proud."

Following Australia's exit, coach Pim Verbeek and the Socceroos team have officially gone their separate ways and Cahill stressed the Dutchman shouldn't be remembered for his part in the 4-0 Germany loss.

"He's a manager that probably people didn't get to appreciate for what he's done for the country and understand how much he did put everything on the line for the lads," Cahill said.

"On and off the park, for me personally, he was someone who sent me a text and made sure my body was right so I could play in certain games and could travel 24 hours across the world to play for Australia.

"Even in this game, he made decisions where maybe I shouldn't have started. Maybe Brett (Holman) should've started and I start on the bench, keeping faith in players and bringing him on in the second-half knowing what he could get from his players.

"He had to change that yesterday and he knew exactly what he was doing.

"He played with three out-and-out strikers, said to everyone 'win the second balls' and really pressurise and we knew we could've possibly conceded some goals but that's what you've go to do.

"This is one of the biggest tournaments in the world and we left this tournament fighting our hearts out."

Cahill also had special praise for 34-year-old defender Craig Moore who is expected to announce his international retirement following the tournament.

"It's Sad, really sad. Moorey's one of the most respected players on and off the pitch," he said.

"He's someone I've looked up to. He's helped me a lot in my career to deal with the good and the bad stuff in football. To have him gone will be a massive loss.

"He's someone I'll always keep very close to me and ask for information constantly because he's been there and done it.

"In this World Cup to have someone like him playing again and proving the critics wrong again, the old boy's done well."