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The secret to a winning start for the Young Socceroos in Egypt on Sunday could well rest with its second youngest squad member – Brisbane Roar midfielder Tommy Oar.
Repeatedly referenced by coach Jan Versleijen as one of Australia’s most promising young talents, 17-year-old Oar will be hoping to justify the testimonials against the Czech Republic in their U-20 World Cup opener.
Local organisers are predicting that Port Said’s 18,000 capacity stadium will be full for Sundays clash, though a far greater number will be watching from beyond Egyptian shores in the hope of identifying some future superstars.
Versleijen is one of many that believe that the 170cm excitement machine from the Gold Coast fits the mould of a superstar and it is a good opportunity to reveal his potential.
“I suppose I can take confidence from that (Versleijen’s comments), I just like to express myself on the field, go out and enjoy it and I’m happy if he notices that,” said Oar.
On a personal level, I’m just trying to get into the starting line up for each of the games and go out and see what happens.”
Capped seven times in the A-League by the Roar, Oar has emerged as an almost automatic selection for the Young Socceroos as a result of his impressive form in training and during last week’s pre-tournament warm up fixtures in Cyprus.
Oar aside, the remainder of Australia’s starting side seems fairly settled one day out from Sunday’s meeting with the Czechs.
On training evidence Newcastle Jets striker Jason Hoffman looks most likely to fulfill a lone striker’s role with support to come from Oar and Sydney FC’s Kofi Danning on the flanks.
The core of the midfield will include captain James Holland, Brisbane Roar’s Mitch Nichols and Sydney FC’s Sam Munro, while Daniel Mullen, Ryan McGowan, Luke DeVere and Matthew Jurman will provide the rearguard in front of goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis.
Not much is known of how Australia’s opponents will line up, though the Czechs will certainly be without their lynchpin striker and qualification star Thomas Necid.
Necid has been given a leave pass from duties in Egypt by the Czech Republics senior national team coach Ivan Hasek, who has selected the talented 20-year-old for next month’s World Cup qualifiers.
Otherwise, a host of players that contributed to the Czech Republic’s successful qualification campaign will again be involved in Egypt, where German-based midfielder Jan Moravek looms as the Czechs dangerman.
“(We know) very little (about the Czech Republic) to be honest at the moment, but were watching a video on them this afternoon and we should find out a bit more then,” said Oar.
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