Clubs could fight Socceroos’ bid to join Olyroos campaign in Tokyo as over-age players

They Olyroos are Olympic bound, and Graham Arnold expects several Socceroos to play in Tokyo as over-age players. But they will be sweating on the decision of a higher power.

Will Mat Ryan and Aaron Mooy be released by their EPL clubs?

Graham Arnold predicts a swath of Socceroos will volunteer to play at the Olympics in Tokyo as over-age players – but faces a fight to get them released by their clubs.

Up to three players in each country’s U23 squad for the Olympics can be over-age, and speculation has begun immediately over who Arnold might pick to bolster his side’s chances now that he has overseen qualification.

But the Olympics fall outside the FIFA match calendar, and though FIFA has in the past requested clubs co-operate, they are under no compulsion to do so.

Stars such as Mat Ryan and Aaron Mooy would miss pre-season and potentially the start of the English Premier League campaign if they were to go, though some of the world’s biggest clubs have allowed their stars to play in the past – including Barcelona releasing Lionel Messi to face Australia in 2008.

Socceroos such as Aaron Mooy and Mat Ryan will be in pre-season at the time of the Olympics.

Arnold will have to balance players’ desire to be part of an Olympics with two World Cup qualifiers and the Copa America in June.

“Everyone knows we can take three over-age players but at the moment it’s only a few hours after the game (against Uzbekistan), it’s all still fresh and emotional,” he said.

“I probably got 20-odd texts of congratulation from the Socceroos, and none of them have had the chance to play at an Olympics (after Australia failed to qualify in 2012 and 2016).

“I’m sure they’ll put their hands up. But I need to get home, get rid of all the emotion, and make these decisions when the time comes.”