Sydney, Jan 23 (IANS): The Australian media heaped praise on striker Tim Cahill Friday after the FIFA World Cup veteran single-handedly sent the host team into the AFC Asian Cup semifinals.

"Tim Cahill added another chapter to his legendary career by scoring one of the greatest goals seen by a Socceroo (Australian national team) on home soil," The Melbourne Herald said, reports Xinhua.

Cahill helped the host nation through with a 2-0 victory over China in Brisbane Thursday.

The 35-year-old struck twice in 15 minutes, once with an incredible acrobatic overhead kick and again with a craning header, as Australia advanced to the final four at the expense of a resolute Chinese side.

Cahill produced a bicycle kick of the utmost quality to beat Chinese keeper Wang Dalei to the bottom corner of the net to open the scoring.

"Tim Cahill somehow took it to another level," The Australian daily commented of the national team's record scorer.

The Daily Telegraph also said Cahill's bicycle kick "will be replayed around the globe".

"Can he make 50 goals? Can he single-handedly defeat Japan? Or Iran? Suddenly nothing seems beyond him," the Sydney Morning Herald said.