Asian Cup 2015: Tommy Oar wants to rebound from disappointing World Cup performances

AFTER failing to produce his best football at the World Cup, Tommy Oar wants Socceroo redemption – individually and collectively – at the Asian Cup.

Socceroos Tommy Oar during at media session at the team hotel, Melbourne. 3rd January 2015. Picture: Colleen Petch

TOMMY Oar wants Socceroo redemption – individually and collectively – at the Asian Cup.

The former Brisbane Roar prodigy was unhappy with his own contribution at last year’s World Cup in Brazil, where Australia finished bottom of their group following losses to Chile, the Netherlands and Spain.

But seven months later, Oar is ready to deliver on the international stage when the Socceroos start their Asian Cup campaign on Friday against Kuwait in Melbourne.

“I was a little bit disappointed with the way I went in Brazil,” the 23-year-old Gold Coast product admitted.

“I put a bit too much pressure on myself to perform and that showed.

Socceroos Tommy Oar during at media session at the team hotel in Melbourne.

“My form in the lead-up games was quite good, but when it came to the tournament, I didn’t deliver as much as I would have liked.”

Attacking weapon Oar, a regular starter for Dutch club FC Utrecht, said embracing the fact that he was representing his nation was a key to improved form in a Socceroos jersey.

“I’m trying to enjoy the whole experience and if I can do that, I’ll put in better performances,” he said.

“It’s also about showing as much consistency as I can. The older I get, the better I’m getting at that.”

Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou senses Oar, now capped 21 times at senior level, is primed to shine in the Asian Cup.

“He had a strong start to the Dutch league, then he got an injury but has come back the last couple of weeks for Utrecht and played well, and he looks in good condition in this camp,” Postecoglou said.

Tommy Oar has trained well in Melbourne ahead of the Asian Cup.

“A lot of the players were hard on themselves at the World Cup. It was three massive games that they played.

“But that’s why we played them in those games, to gain that experience. Now it’s up to them to use that experience of playing against the best teams in the world in the biggest tournament in the world, and use it going forward.

“Tommy’s certainly one of those players. He’s still young in football terms.

“We’ve got a four-year World Cup cycle coming up. With all these guys like him – now is the time for them to start bearing the fruit of all the hard work they’ve done.”

That should mean an improvement in Australia’s results.

It has been tough times since Postecoglou took over in October 2013, with the Socceroos losing eight from 12 matches and winning just two of them.

Oar admits he wasn’t at his best at the World Cup.

“Obviously the results have been a little bit disappointing for us of late,” Oar said.

“We’re also disappointed by the results, but at the end of the day it was all preparation for tournaments such as the Asian Cup and these kind of games.

“We’ve played most of our games away but when we come home, we’ll find it much easier to adapt to the conditions. Playing in Australia is a huge advantage for us.”

It’s an advantage that will have the Socceroos dejected with anything less than Asian Cup glory, despite many pundits believing a semi-final berth would be an acceptable achievement.

“Within the team, the hope and expectation is winning it. Anything less than that would be a disappointment for the group,” Oar said.

The Socceroos’ path to Asian Cup success, or failure, includes a crucial and potentially deciding Group A contest against fellow heavyweights South Korea at Suncorp Stadium on January 17.

It’s a match proud Queenslander Oar has had marked on his calendar since the Cup draw was announced.

The last time he played at the iconic Brisbane venue was March 3, 2010, the occasion being his Socceroos debut.

Oar had a night to remember, playing a key role in Australia’s 1-0 Asian Cup qualifying win over Indonesia.

“For me it’s going be a really special day when we play South Korea. I’m really looking forward to playing in front of my family and friends,” he said.

That is, of course, provided Oar is selected, which he knows isn’t guaranteed.

“It’s always been the same with Ange – you don’t take your position for granted,” he said.

“If you look at the squad now, we’ve got so much competition for places, especially in those attacking positions.

“I’m going to have to do a lot in the next week or two to prove I deserve a spot.”

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Tommy Oar wants to rebound from disappointing World Cup performances