Australia’s Youth Olympic soccer coach Paul Okon admits he is disappointed Sydney FC’s Kofi Danning and Rhyan Grant have been pulled from his side.
Sydney FC successfully lobbied to have both 17-year-olds withdrawn from the Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF) on Monday after Sydney’s last-gasp win against Wellington on Sunday.
Ghana-born Danning netted the winner against the Phoenix in the 85th minute to keep Sydney’s season alive after a four-match losing streak.
Okon could not hide his disappointment on Tuesday but said the AYOF men’s side was still strong ahead of its first game against China on Thursday.
“It’s quite a good squad. We are missing some players that obviously for various reasons are going to stay with there A-League clubs,” the former Socceroos captain said.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed.
“Obviously they are two players who in our eyes were starting 11 players.”
“Not only am I disappointed, but I believe the two boys are and so are the other 16 players.”
Okon said while he expected clashes with A-League, it came as a shock that the pair were withdrawn at the last minute.
“Rhyan Grant would have been the captain,” Okon said.
“Everyone knew these were two players who were going to be our best performers.
“But I also understand the significance and importance of the A-League at this time of year.
“We always knew there was going to be some clashes but we didn’t expect it to be a day out before the actual tournament.”
“But they’re the cards we were dealt.”
Okon, who will move on to be assistant coach for Gold Coast United in April, said he expected the 16-strong under-18s side to use the AYOF as a launching pad towards the 2012 London Olympics.
“It’s a great opportunity even though it is a youth festival,” Okon said.
“You’re wearing the green and gold and representing Australia.
“I hope a lot of these boys will make up the bulk of the Socceroos in two years time and of course in four years time, will be part of the team that will hopefully go on and play in London.”
Australia will play China at Valentine Sports Park at Glenwood, in Sydney’s west, at 5pm (AEST) on Thursday.
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