The Socceroo superstar started and played almost 80 minutes as Shenhua defeated Wuhan 1-0 at the club’s home ground Hongkou Stadium.
Great win and team performance,very disciplined and didn't concede #ShanghaiShenhua my 1st game since Asia Cup really happy to play 80mins.
— Tim Cahill (@Tim_Cahill) March 1, 2015While he didn’t get on the scoresheet himself, Cahill showed why he will be a huge asset for the club, involved in a number of promising attacks before Paulo Henrique scored the winner.
It was Cahill’s first proper hit-out since helping the Socceroos win the Asian Cup by beating Korea Republic in Sydney on January 31.
It’s been a big couple of weeks for the 35-year-old since arriving in China and he seems to have settled comfortably into his new surrounds.
Cahill and his family celebrated his daughter Sienna’s eighth birthday this week.
He might now be in the blue of Shenhua but Cahill also still has the blue of Everton in his heart and showed his support for his former club ahead of their 2-0 EPL loss to Arsenal on Monday morning (AEDT).
I'm ready for this @everton we need the result. I'm supporting from #ShanghaiShenhua CHINA ���� pic.twitter.com/KfaKQZBC3c
— Tim Cahill (@Tim_Cahill) March 1, 2015But his focus will now certainly turn to his CSL debut on Sunday as Shenhua host local rivals Shanghai Shenxin in their season opener.