Australia call in Oar for Asian Cup

Teenage forward Tommy Oar has been drafted into Australia’s squad to replace Richard Garcia for this month’s Asian Cup in Qatar.

Hull City midfielder Garcia has been ruled out of Holger Osieck’s 23-man squad with a knee injury that will see him sidelined for most of the month.

Oar, who is currently playing for Dutch Eredivisie side FC Utrectht after transferring from the Brisbane Roar, was originally in the 50-man provisional squad for the tournament but was cut from the list last week when Osieck named his side.

However, reports suggest the 19-year-old will now head from the Netherlands to the Socceroos’ training camp in Abu Dhabi ahead of their first group match against India on Monday week.

“Garcia is injured and I can confirm that Tommy Oar will be his replacement for Qatar,” national teams head John Boultbee told SBS.

The selection is still somewhat of a surprise as Oar has been preferred over an experienced and proven player at international level such as Lazio’s Mark Bresciano.

Bresciano was left out of the Socceroos squad for this tournament as he had not played many minutes of game time since crossing from Palermo to Lazio.

But Oar is in a similar boat and his selection is even more surprising considering Osieck said he lacked what was ‘required at the top level’ after seeing him come on as a substitute for Utrecht in a recent Europa League clash at Liverpool.

“I went to Liverpool … and he came on as a late sub,” Osieck explained.

“And, I had the opportunity to talk to the (Utrecht) coach there as well and again, they see the talent in him, but still his game has to develop.”

“He has to get involved more into the game and not just rely on individual actions.”

“At times he’s not really in the game, his dribbling and his crosses don’t come to the right spot, to the right player.”

“I mean, talent, yes. We all know it and down the road I think he will be part of the Socceroos, but at the present stage he obviously seems to lack of little bit of what is required at the top level.”