There was no farewell goal but plenty of love for Tim Cahill as the Socceroos' all-time leading goalscorer bowed out a winner on Tuesday.
More than an hour after Australia's 3-0 win over Lebanon, Cahill was still signing autographs and posing for photos with adoring fans and vowed to oblige every request before leaving ANZ Stadium.
"I'm still taking it all in, I'm embracing it,"' he told the media who spoke to him while he was still out on the ground.
The night was all about Cahill and a huge roar went up from the crowd at the Olympic Stadium when he came on to win his 108th and final cap for his country in the 82nd minute.
Looking sprightly despite approaching his 39th birthday, the last survivor of Australia's 'golden generation' was cheered every time he touched the ball but was unable to add to his record tally of 50 international goals.
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"This is the only time you're going to see me cry," an emotional Cahill said.
"Every time I wore the green and gold, I played with my heart and I never left anything on the pitch. Thank you very much Australia."
Cahill couldn't score a 51st international goal, though on one occasion he came very close.
An inviting cross looked destined to find his head, before Lebanon defender Kassem Al Zein spoilt the moment by getting a glancing touch which flicked the ball away from the Socceroos veteran.
At least ten minutes before he came on just after the 80th minute, the crowd chanted "We want Timmy."
His name got the loudest reception when the team was announced before the game and any shot of him on the scoreboard also generated a huge cheer.
"It's everything you could dream of or wish for as a footballer at the end of your career as an international.
"Even leading into it I was really proud, really happy and content because I know everything I've ever done for my country has been for the right reasons, it's not just about scoring."
Just before the end of the game even a Lebanon fan wanted to show his appreciation for Cahill, charging onto the ground and making a beeline for the 38-year-old before security pulled him away.
In 15 years as an international, Cahill scored five goals at four editions of the World Cup finals - including the first ever by an Australian - and also helped the Socceroos to their Asian Cup triumph on home soil in 2015.
Additional reporting by Reuters.
