Tommy Oar took the advice too seriously. Trying to stop getting beaten up by his older brothers on makeshift soccer pitches at his Gold Coast home, his dad got in his ear.
“I was a right footer and when I was four or five-years-old I would always kick the ball in the backyard with my brothers,” Oar says.
“And my dad was always telling me I had to train my left foot. I took it a bit too seriously and never changed back to my right foot.”
Oar’s left foot is now one of the most serious weapons the Socceroos possess.
It’s a left foot destined to make an imprint on the World Cup in Brazil, with Oar a leader of Australia’s generation next.
The diminutive attacker, just 1.7m tall and weighing 65kg, has always been the most precocious of talents.
Oar’s zip and zest was initially noticed by older brothers in their backyard tussles.
Then, aged 13 and playing for an amateur club at Palm Beach, he was spotted by Queensland scouts.
Three years later, a 16-year-old Oar signed with A-League outfit Brisbane Roar.
At an age when most teens are worried about parties and pimples, Oar was a professional footballer.
“I was still in year 11 at high school at that stage,” he says.
“I was fortunate enough to be given an opportunity.”
Didn’t he miss not having the social life of a regular teen?
“No, definitely not. I always dreamed of becoming a professional footballer so I was very happy,” he says.
Oar made his A-League debut in 2008-09, scoring a goal in just his second game.
The next season, Ange Postecoglou arrived as Brisbane coach but Oar played just one season under the now Socceroos boss.
In January 2010, Oar signed with a Dutch agent.
Two months later, after an eye-catching debut for the Socceroos against Indonesia, he trialled with FC Utrecht in the Netherlands and a five-year contract followed.
“When I moved to Utrecht I was only 18,” he says.
“It was a big change from living at home with my parents to living on the other side of the world by myself.
“Off the field was as big a challenge as on the field.
“I didn’t get as many games as I would have liked in that first year, but I was 18. Looking back, I was in a fortunate position to get any opportunities at all.
“You were on the other side of the world to your family. Of course the club point you in the right direction but essentially it’s up to you to do it and make the most of it.”
Once settled into Dutch life off the pitch, Oar says his on-field performances blossomed.
After seven games in his debut year in the Netherlands, Oar played 18, 27 and 31 games in the following three seasons.
“My last two seasons have been very successful from a personal point of view,” he says.
Oar has 14 international caps – the most recent a sizzling display in the Socceroos’ 1-1 draw with South Africa in their farewell match before departing for the World Cup in Brazil.
Now aged 22, Oar is relishing playing again under Postecoglou.
“He has always been a very positive coach,” Oar says.
“He wants players to get out on the field and express themselves.
“For an attack-minded player like me, it’s great to have a coach who gives you that kind of licence and gives you that freedom.”
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