Brisbane Roar teenager Tommy Oar has credited a failed FIFA Under-20 World Cup campaign with the Qantas Young Socceroos as the main motivating force behind his recent improvement in form.
Oar was named on Wednesday as Football Federation Australia’s third nominee for the 2009/10 NAB Young Footballer of the Year award, joining Sydney FC’s Kofi Danning and Melbourne Victory midfielder Leigh Broxham.
The 17-year-old has impressed on the wing since returning from the recent World Cup in Egypt, where Australia was bundled out in straight sets.
Oar played alongside fellow Roar young guns Luke DeVere and Mitch Nichols, and believed all three had hit the ground running in Brisbane after a meek showing while on national duty.
“Getting back from the World Cup, the results didn’t obviously go how we wanted them to, but everyone who is in the team has worked hard since we got back,” Oar said.
“Certainly, there were a lot of questions asked about a lot of the players in that side since we got back.”
“That-s motivated us all to prove everyone wrong and prove that we do have a lot of ability.”
Oar was chuffed to be in the running for a $10,000 dollar investment portfolio.
“We’ve had a lot of injuries, so I’ve been lucky to get an opportunity,” he said.
“It’s given me an opportunity to show myself out on the field, with the starting spot I’ve had in the last few weeks.”
“I’ve been happy with the way I’ve been going, but I’ve got to keep working hard and nail my first-team spot.”
Oar will play his part on Friday night when the Roar tackle Newcastle in an attempt to avoid a club-record fifth-straight loss, however more representative duties will see him leave Australia soon after.
Oar is set to miss three weeks of Hyundai A-League action when he travels to Indonesia for the AFC Under-19 Championship qualifiers.
Roar coach Ange Postecoglou admitted it was frustrating to see Oar leave so soon after hitting his straps.
However the former Young Socceroos mentor was sure the international action would benefit both parties in the long run.
“I was national youth coach for seven years and I used to whinge about clubs who whinged about players leaving so I would be a huge hypocrite if I did that now,” Postecoglou said.
“Young players need to get exposed to different kinds of conditions and challenges.”
“Losing Tommy will be a blow, but we have to cope with it.”
Postecoglou was full of praise for Oar’s efforts in what’s been a difficult time for the club.
“He’s been tremendous in the time I’ve been here, and looking from the outside you could tell he was a talented footballer,”
“The week before when we were very disappointing against Central Coast, I thought he was one of the few that stood up, which is a testament to his character.”
“He’s proven he can play at A-League level, now he’s got to show he can dominate, and I think he has those capabilities.”
“He’s a player that could become someone who people come and see – he’s exciting.”
