Tommy Oar Selected for Socceroos

[pennywisealfie]

Ever-smiling teenager Tommy Oar wore a grin even wider than usual after taking another step toward emulating his childhood hero Harry Kewell.

Called up to coach Pim Verbeek's 23-man Socceroos squad on Tuesday, 18-year-old Oar could become the youngest player to debut for Australia since Kewell in 1996 if he gets a start against Kuwait in the Asian Cup qualifier on January 6 in Kuwait City.

And that would be fitting, given the pint-sized Brisbane Roar winger with the deadly left boot grew up trying to play like Socceroos great Kewell, who also prefers to play as a left-sided midfielder.

"When I was little and he used to play for Leeds and at the start of his Liverpool career, he was always my favourite player to watch, probably because he was Australian and because of the way he played," said Oar.

"I've tried to mould my game around his a little bit, trying to take defenders on and scoring goals."

For Oar, who has never spoken to Verbeek, it's a dream come true just making the national squad despite all the media speculation tipping him to be selected on his great A-League form.

"It's hasn't sunk in yet," he said.

"I'm pretty excited. I didn't expect it at all to be honest.

"The papers suggested I would (be picked) but I ignored that knowing it wouldn't have a bearing on Pim's decision.

"I'm just ecstatic."

Roar coach Ange Postecoglou was careful not to put too much pressure on Oar but believes he's a good chance to start against Kuwait.

"Normally you would worry about an 18-year-old, but he just takes everything in his stride and I'm sure he will take this in his stride as well," said Postecoglou.

"If anything, I think it will take him up to another level and the experience will make him a better player.

"If he gets an opportunity with the Socceroos I've got no doubt he won't be overawed by it."

"There's not a lot left side players in Australian football which is the other unique thing about Tommy.

"There aren't many playing at his skill level.

"Speaking to Pim yesterday (Monday) he's not worried about his age, that's why he picked him, so it's now up to Tommy but I think he is as good a chance as anybody to get some game time.

"He's handled everything thrown at him and risen to the occasion every time.

"I've got no fears for him."

Brisbane teammate Matt McKay was confident Oar's call up was just the start of a big international career.

"I don't think he is going there (Kuwait) to make up numbers," said McKay, who was recalled to the Socceroos for the first time since March.

"He's just turned 18 but I don't think it should be a shock for him.

"He's an extremely good talent and this is going to be the first of many, many caps for the Socceroos in the future."

OH YEAH!!!!!!!! The first few touches that I ever saw of him, I said he was going to be the next big aussie star, some people dont believe me, but he is gonna be the man!! and this selection is just the start!

 

[Fozz]

Oarsome news!

Sorry, that was the subeditor in me.

 

[Foordy]

good new, well done to the kid

 

[Black Philip]

Ever-smiling teenager Tommy Oar wore a grin even wider than usual after taking another step toward emulating his childhood hero Harry Kewell.

Called up to coach Pim Verbeek's 23-man Socceroos squad on Tuesday, 18-year-old Oar could become the youngest player to debut for Australia since Kewell in 1996 if he gets a start against Kuwait in the Asian Cup qualifier on January 6 in Kuwait City.

And that would be fitting, given the pint-sized Brisbane Roar winger with the deadly left boot grew up trying to play like Socceroos great Kewell, who also prefers to play as a left-sided midfielder.

"When I was little and he used to play for Leeds and at the start of his Liverpool career, he was always my favourite player to watch, probably because he was Australian and because of the way he played," said Oar.

"I've tried to mould my game around his a little bit, trying to take defenders on and scoring goals."

For Oar, who has never spoken to Verbeek, it's a dream come true just making the national squad despite all the media speculation tipping him to be selected on his great A-League form.

"It's hasn't sunk in yet," he said.

"I'm pretty excited. I didn't expect it at all to be honest.

"The papers suggested I would (be picked) but I ignored that knowing it wouldn't have a bearing on Pim's decision.

"I'm just ecstatic."

Roar coach Ange Postecoglou was careful not to put too much pressure on Oar but believes he's a good chance to start against Kuwait.

"Normally you would worry about an 18-year-old, but he just takes everything in his stride and I'm sure he will take this in his stride as well," said Postecoglou.

"If anything, I think it will take him up to another level and the experience will make him a better player.

"If he gets an opportunity with the Socceroos I've got no doubt he won't be overawed by it."

"There's not a lot left side players in Australian football which is the other unique thing about Tommy.

"There aren't many playing at his skill level.

"Speaking to Pim yesterday (Monday) he's not worried about his age, that's why he picked him, so it's now up to Tommy but I think he is as good a chance as anybody to get some game time.

"He's handled everything thrown at him and risen to the occasion every time.

"I've got no fears for him."

Brisbane teammate Matt McKay was confident Oar's call up was just the start of a big international career.

"I don't think he is going there (Kuwait) to make up numbers," said McKay, who was recalled to the Socceroos for the first time since March.

"He's just turned 18 but I don't think it should be a shock for him.

"He's an extremely good talent and this is going to be the first of many, many caps for the Socceroos in the future."

OH YEAH!!!!!!!! The first few touches that I ever saw of him, I said he was going to be the next big aussie star, some people dont believe me, but he is gonna be the man!! and this selection is just the start!

If he wants to be the next big "Star" then he needs to get himself over to Europe asap. And not just to some shitty little Romanian University team.

 

[pennywisealfie]

he will be at barca soon, dont worry :P

 

[Russo]

This kid is the real deal, and will make it bigtime. Just needs to plan out his future properly and work out how to get to Spurs asap. Considering this is his first year he has come a long way, and I think Zullo's injury was probably a blessing in disguise to allow him plenty of game time.

 

[Scumbag]

Ever-smiling teenager Tommy Oar wore a grin even wider than usual after taking another step toward emulating his childhood hero Harry Kewell.

Called up to coach Pim Verbeek's 23-man Socceroos squad on Tuesday, 18-year-old Oar could become the youngest player to debut for Australia since Kewell in 1996 if he gets a start against Kuwait in the Asian Cup qualifier on January 6 in Kuwait City.

And that would be fitting, given the pint-sized Brisbane Roar winger with the deadly left boot grew up trying to play like Socceroos great Kewell, who also prefers to play as a left-sided midfielder.

"When I was little and he used to play for Leeds and at the start of his Liverpool career, he was always my favourite player to watch, probably because he was Australian and because of the way he played," said Oar.

"I've tried to mould my game around his a little bit, trying to take defenders on and scoring goals."

For Oar, who has never spoken to Verbeek, it's a dream come true just making the national squad despite all the media speculation tipping him to be selected on his great A-League form.

"It's hasn't sunk in yet," he said.

"I'm pretty excited. I didn't expect it at all to be honest.

"The papers suggested I would (be picked) but I ignored that knowing it wouldn't have a bearing on Pim's decision.

"I'm just ecstatic."

Roar coach Ange Postecoglou was careful not to put too much pressure on Oar but believes he's a good chance to start against Kuwait.

"Normally you would worry about an 18-year-old, but he just takes everything in his stride and I'm sure he will take this in his stride as well," said Postecoglou.

"If anything, I think it will take him up to another level and the experience will make him a better player.

"If he gets an opportunity with the Socceroos I've got no doubt he won't be overawed by it."

"There's not a lot left side players in Australian football which is the other unique thing about Tommy.

"There aren't many playing at his skill level.

"Speaking to Pim yesterday (Monday) he's not worried about his age, that's why he picked him, so it's now up to Tommy but I think he is as good a chance as anybody to get some game time.

"He's handled everything thrown at him and risen to the occasion every time.

"I've got no fears for him."

Brisbane teammate Matt McKay was confident Oar's call up was just the start of a big international career.

"I don't think he is going there (Kuwait) to make up numbers," said McKay, who was recalled to the Socceroos for the first time since March.

"He's just turned 18 but I don't think it should be a shock for him.

"He's an extremely good talent and this is going to be the first of many, many caps for the Socceroos in the future."

OH YEAH!!!!!!!! The first few touches that I ever saw of him, I said he was going to be the next big aussie star, some people dont believe me, but he is gonna be the man!! and this selection is just the start!

If he wants to be the next big "Star" then he needs to get himself over to Europe asap. And not just to some shitty little Romanian University team.

lol it's pretty sad when you think your next national team superstar will be Tommy Oar. If he is going to make anything of himself he needs to get to Europe asap. The A-league is just too shit.

At least you're consistant. [icon_wink

 

[Black Philip]

You disagree silence?

 

[Scumbag]

Not at all.

You're sticking by your guns. It's a good thing.

 

[Charmamba]

i dont follow this sport at all. But im curious as to why he has to be over in Euro to be an Aussie Star?

 

[Fozz]

i dont follow this sport at all. But im curious as to why he has to be over in Euro to be an Aussie Star?

Compared to the European leagues, the ALeague is like park football to Origin.

 

[Charmamba]

yeah thats fair enough, But every spot needs the guy who breaks it out. the Aleague needs that star who says no the big time and wants to help grow the Aleague instead.

Im sure the Aleague would get more fans if every guy didnt run of to another comp first chance they get.

Again i dont follow this is just my views on sport in general. Its like in the 90's when Hulk Hogan left the big time and went WCW to make it big and guys like STING never touched WWE but still are known the world over. it relates to all sports imo.

Wouldnt it be awesome if guys overseas tuned into live streams of A league games because they heard about an awesome young bloke that could compete in the Euro Leagues but instead has chosen to help his home comp?

 

[pennywisealfie]

yeah thats fair enough, But every spot needs the guy who breaks it out. the Aleague needs that star who says no the big time and wants to help grow the Aleague instead.

Im sure the Aleague would get more fans if every guy didnt run of to another comp first chance they get.

Again i dont follow this is just my views on sport in general. Its like in the 90's when Hulk Hogan left the big time and went WCW to make it big and guys like STING never touched WWE but still are known the world over. it relates to all sports imo.

Wouldnt it be awesome if guys overseas tuned into live streams of A league games because they heard about an awesome young bloke that could compete in the Euro Leagues but instead has chosen to help his home comp?

sport doesnt work like that tho. Oar is just a kid, he needs to properly develop.

Do you think Lockyer would be as good as he has been this whole time if he just stayed in Roma and played with the same guys and the same coach. no way, not a chance. He had the talent but playing with guys like walters and langer and being coached by Bennett improved his game tenfold, not to mention playing against the best players in the world, week in, week out. Same with Oar, he cant just stay in a 3rd rate league, hes gotta get overseas to get the proper development.

 

[Charmamba]

Comparing Langer travelling like 3hrs is a bit different to a bloke going across the world. Id have more interest in Soccer if the blokes playing actually stuck around. i started to care abit about the roar and then their #1 decided to go overseas and the rest are Asian anyway Minus 1 or 2 young blokes that everyones telling to go over seas anyway.

if soccer is to grow in Australia more young blokes needs to stick it out here.

 

[Black Philip]

They aren't going to develop anywhere near as well as they should without playing against quality opposition.

 

[Charmamba]

and because of that Soccer in Australia will never hit the peak it could.

 

[Black Philip]

Soccer in Australia, at this point in time, will never hit the peak it potentially could because of the domination by other codes.

 

[ronnyd]

i started to care abit about the roar and then their #1 decided to go overseas and the rest are Asian anyway Minus 1 or 2 young blokes that everyones telling to go over seas anyway.

does the roar have any asians?