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Pim Verbeek on Wednesday night attempted to play down hype teenager Tommy Oar had emerged as the “next Harry Kewell” following a scintillating debut to help the Socceroos into the 2011 Asian Cup.
Australia sealed their place at next year’s tournament in Qatar with a 1-0 victory over a lacklustre Indonesia, who were completely outplayed at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
While Mark Milligan scored his first international goal in the 42nd minute and captain Jason Culina was his typical classy self, 18-year-old Oar was the star of the show.
The sixth youngest Socceroo of all time, the Brisbane Roar flyer grew into the role Kewell usually commands on the left flank and was Australia’s most dangerous player in the second half.
Oar also won the foul which led to Milligan’s goal from a Luke Wilkshire free kick which the Japan-based former Sydney FC defender shouldered on to the cross bar before ramming it home near the left post.
While highly impressed with the youngster, coach Verbeek attempted to keep a lid on the expectations surrounding the elusive Gold Coast product.
“I wish I could keep the pressure and everything down but I must be honest, I thought he played a fantastic game,” he said. “I can say a few things about areas he can improve but I think he was fantastic.
“Let’s try to keep it normal for the boy, he’s just 18-years-old and don’t mention him as the next Harry Kewell please.”
This season’s A-League young player of the year, Oar has been touted as a World Cup bolter by former Roar and ex-Socceroos coach Frank Farina.
But Verbeek wouldn’t be drawn on his chances of making the 23-man squad for South Africa, to be named May 11.
“Let the boy just develop, he’s just 18-years-old,” he said. “He had a great year and it will be very difficult to stay on the same level.”
Oar, who admitted he started nervously in a pleasing debut, was one taking Verbeek’s advice.
“As the game wore on I got into it a bit more and I was just happy to get the three points and qualify,” he said.
“The boys spoke to me at halftime and said to be confident and get at them and luckily for me it worked a few times.
“At the end of the day I’ve just played 20 A-League games and once for the Socceroos so no need to get ahead of myself.”
Verbeek also praised fellow debutant Shannon Cole who impressed alongside Sydney FC teammate Simon Colosimo in defence.
Requiring just a draw to ensure a second Asian Cup campaign, a determined Milligan sealed the Socceroos’ place with his scrambling goal.
One of just three foreign-based players in the mostly A-League squad, the 2006 World Cup squad member had luck on his side but Australia deserved to win by more as they 22 shots at goal to the visitors’ three.
The Socceroos enjoyed close to 80 per cent of the possession and had countless chances to kill off the visitors early in the second half.
In one five-minute period, striker Josh Kennedy missed two headers in the box and then spoilt a golden chance for Wilkshire by intercepting a brilliant Oar cross meant for the Dynamo Moscow utility.
Captain Culina also unleashed a series of long-range shots, further testing up-to-the-task goalkeeper Markus Harison Rihihina with each.
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