Vidmar breaks down Olyroos failures

Updated March 08, 2012 07:10:06

Lack of access to top players, lack of senior football and lack of preparation time were the key stumbling blocks in Australia's doomed Olympic soccer campaign, according to coach Aurelio Vidmar.

He might also have mentioned a lack of goals, for the Olyroos head into next week's concluding dead rubber against Iraq in Gosford as the goalless cellar dwellers, the only team which has failed to score in five matches.

Vidmar, who has called up no less than 10 debutants in an experimental 18-man squad, was frustrated from the outset by failure to acquire the services of overseas-based stars like Tommy Oar in Holland and Mathew Leckie in Germany.

Because the Olympic qualifiers fell on non-FIFA dates, clubs were under no compulsion to release players and refused to budge, depriving Australia of half a dozen stars who would walk into the under-23s team.

Other nations were similarly affected, but Vidmar was also hampered by a lack of regular senior football for his A-League charges.

"In 2011, we had only four players playing first-team football," he said.

"That increased to nine or 10 this year, but it was on and off. They weren't all getting week-in and week-out football and I think that hurt the group.

"We can only pick the players. We can't tell the clubs who needs to play to suit the national team."

Vidmar bemoaned not having the "luxury" of sufficient time to develop a cohesive team effort in the sporadic pre-game camps, unlike club coaches.

Despite this, he believes "three or four" of his regular players have the potential to become Socceroos and says his team made a "massive improvement" throughout the failed campaign.

"We didn't play against dummies," he said, noting that table-topping Uzbekistan and United Arab Emirates both had six or seven players in their national senior teams.

"The A-League boys gave every ounce of blood, sweat and tears they had.

"I can't fault their application, commitment and desire to play for the Olyroos. They were a joy to coach.

"We did enough to win matches, but it's the old, old story if you don't put the ball in the back of the net.

"We're not happy we didn't score. It just didn't happen."

Vidmar's 10 debutants for next Wednesday's match against Iraq are Gold Coast United pair Zac Anderson and Chris Harold, Melbourne Victory duo James Jeggo and Lawrence Thomas, Nick Fitzgerald of Brisbane Roar, Melbourne Heart's Craig Goodwin, Sydney FC's Mitchell Mallia, Jacob Pepper of Newcastle Jets, Josh Risdon of Perth Glory and Tom Rogic of Central Coast Mariners.

Olyroos squad: Zac Anderson (Gold Coast United), Mark Birighitti (gk) (Adelaide United), Kofi Danning (Brisbane Roar), Nicholas Fitzgerald (Brisbane Roar), Sam Gallagher (Central Coast Mariners), Craig Goodwin (Melbourne Heart), Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC), Brendan Hamill (Melbourne Heart), Chris Harold (Gold Coast United), Bernie Ibini (Central Coast Mariners), James Jeggo (Melbourne Victory), Ben Kantarovski (Newcastle Jets), Mitchell Mallia (Sydney FC), Jacob Pepper (Newcastle Jets), Dimitrios Petratos (Sydney FC), Joshua Risdon (Perth Glory), Tom Rogic (Central Coast Mariners), Lawrence Thomas (gk) (Melbourne Victory).

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, gosford-2250, nsw, australia

First posted March 08, 2012 07:00:05

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Olyroos cop hammer blow in Uzbekistan

Updated February 06, 2012 10:17:23

Australian hopes of qualifying for this year's Olympic football tournament nosedived with a 2-0 loss away to group leaders Uzbekistan in freezing Tashkent on Sunday.

The loss leaves Australia five points behind Uzbekistan in their Asian qualifying group with just two of the six rounds remaining.

While the kick-off was brought forward five hours to 3pm local time, the temperature was still an uncomfortable -12.

The Olyroos' goal drought continued after the opening three games finished 0-0.

The visitors had two goals disallowed, one in each half.

Shortly after Kenja Turaev gave Uzbekistan the lead with a 27th minute long range effort.

Then Jason Hoffman had a goal rubbed out for offside.

Mitch Nicholls netted just after the hour, but the goal was disallowed for an infringement in the penalty area.

Nicholls also picked up a yellow card during the game.

Oleg Zoteev secured the win for the home team with a sublime volley in the 85th minute.

AAP

Tags: socceroos, soccer, sport, olympics-summer, australia, uzbekistan

First posted February 06, 2012 09:33:14

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Olyroos to start early due to cold weather

Updated February 05, 2012 11:55:02

Australia's vital Olympic soccer Asian qualifier against Uzbekistan has been brought forward five hours due to extremely cold conditions in Tashkent.

The game was scheduled to kick off at 2am tomorrow (AEDT), but has been advanced five hours to 9.00pm tonight (AEDT).

Temperatures in Tashkent have plummeted to -18C and aren't expected to climb much above -8 during the day.

The Olyroos are running third in the four-team group, two points behind ladder-leading Uzbekistan, but have drawn all three of their games 0-0.

AAP

Tags: olympics-summer, sport, soccer, uzbekistan

First posted February 05, 2012 11:50:11

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Vidmar names Olyroos squad

Updated January 25, 2012 14:09:46

Australian under-23 soccer coach Aurelio Vidmar has named a 20-man squad for the upcoming London Olympics qualifiers.

The Olyroos will face Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates in their third round Asian qualifying matches.

Adelaide's Antony Golec, Melbourne Victory midfielder Isaka Cernak and Brisbane's Rocky Visconte have been called into the squad, alongside overseas-based striker Kerem Bulut.

Football Federation Australia is talking to European-based players including Tommy Oar and Mathew Leckie.

The Australians play Uzbekistan on February 5 in Tashkent and then face the United Arab Emirates on February 22 in Abu Dhabi.

Squad: Terry Antonis, Aziz Behich, Mark Birighitti, Oliver Bozanic, Kerem Bulutfk, Isaka Cernak, Mate Dugandzic,Diogo Ferreira, Matthew Foschini, Antony Golec, Jason Hoffman, Matthew Jurman, Ben Kantarovski, Daniel Mullen, Mitch Nichols, Dimitrios Petratos, Sebastian Ryall, Mathew Ryan, Adam Taggart, Rocco Visconte

Tags: soccer, sport, australia

First posted January 25, 2012 14:09:46

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Hoffman gets Olyroos on the scoresheet

Published:Sunday, June 19, 2011 5:56 AEST

Jason Hoffman of Australia celebrates after scoring his teams first goal during the first 2012 London Olympic Games Asian Qualifier match between the Australian Olyroos and Yemen at Bluetongue Stadium on June 19, 2011 in Gosford.

Tags: sport, football, socceroos, australia, nsw, gosford-2250, yemen

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Australia to host both Olyroos qualifiers

Updated June 6, 2011 17:08:00

Yemen's home leg of its 2012 Olympic football qualifier against Australia this month has been moved Down Under due to the security situation in Sanaa, officials said.

The decision followed Football Federation Australia being advised by Canberra that it was not safe to travel to the Middle Eastern nation.

FFA suggested to the Yemen FA that both matches be played in Australia, which was agreed upon and ratified by FIFA.

"Obviously we are really happy with this outcome in light of the current situation in Yemen," Olyroos coach Aurelio Vidmar said.

The matches will take place in Gosford and Newcastle on June 19 and 23 respectively.

Adelaide goalkeeper Mark Birighitti has been called up to the Olyroos squad to replace injured stopper Alex Cisak.

More than 200 demonstrators have been killed nationwide since protests in Yemen calling for the departure of President Ali Abdullah Saleh first erupted in late January.

Scores more have died in armed clashes between loyalist troops and dissident tribesmen.

Olyroos squad: Mustafa Amini, Aziz Behich, Mark Birighitti, Dean Bouzanis, Oliver Bozanic, Isaka Cernak, Kofi Danning, Diogo Ferreira, Matthew Foschini, Jason Hoffman, Marko Jesic, Matthew Jurman, Ryan McGowan, Tahj Minniecon, Aaron Mooy, Scott Neville, Mitch Nichols, Mirjan Pavlovic, Andrew Redmayne, Sebastian Ryall, Rocco Visconte.

- AFP

Tags: sport, football, australia, yemen

First posted June 6, 2011 16:30:00

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Olyroos hit Singapore for six

Posted June 14, 2011 20:00:00

The Olyroos tuned up for next week's 2012 Olympic qualifiers against Yemen with a 6-0 victory over Singapore's under-23s in Sydney on Tuesday.

In an encouraging performance ahead of the two-legged play-off against Yemen, Aurelio Vidmar's side proved much too strong in the rescheduled training match.

A-League players Kofi Danning, Jason Hoffman, Marko Jesic, Mustafa Amini, Aziz Behich and Scottish-based midfielder Aaron Mooy all found the net, leaving Vidmar satisfied with the hit-out.

"Although the score was a little flattering I was very pleased with the way we played and the intensity that we played at for the whole 90 minutes," the coach said.

"It was also good to see some of the younger players who haven't played much with us to get some valuable game time and they all fitted in very well.

"We will now continue our preparations and really focus on the upcoming matches against Yemen."

While heavy rain forced Sunday's match in Gosford to be called off, conditions were not much better on a dreary day at Blacktown Olympic Park on Tuesday.

But the out-of-contract Danning brightened the mood when he got Australia off to the perfect start in the sixth minute, driving the ball past Singaporean goalkeeper Izwan Bin Mahbud from an acute angle.

St Mirren midfielder Mooy doubled the lead with a neat finish in the 14th minute after he dribbled into the box following a pass from Matthew Foschini.

The Olyroos continued to dominate in the second half and they extended their lead in the 52nd minute when Rocco Visconte set up Hoffman.

Newcastle Jets star Jesic added his name to the scoresheet three minutes later when he unleashed a 25m bomb into the top right-hand corner.

Vidmar made seven changes on the hour mark including Borussia Dortmund target Amini, who needed only nine minutes to get his name on the scoresheet.

The scoring was completed in the final minute of the match when Melbourne Heart youngster Behich took on three defenders down the left side, cut back inside and then carefully placed his shot past the goalkeeper.

The Olyroos face Yemen in Gosford on Sunday with the second leg to be played in Newcastle on Thursday.

The winner of the tie progresses to the next stage of qualification, with teams split into three groups of four.

- AAP

Tags: sport, football, australia, nsw, sydney-2000, singapore

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Olyroos sharpen skills in Canberra

By Ben Lisson

Updated April 14, 2011 18:34:00

The Australian Men's Olympic Football team, the Olyroos, are stepping up preparations ahead of a year of qualification for the London Olympics.

Australia's under-23 squad took part in a training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra this week.

The players were vying for selection in the final squad to take on Yemen in a two-legged Olympic qualifier in June.

The Olyroos' performance gives coaches and fans a glimpse of what is to come for Australian international Football.

"Certainly there's a number of them in this Olyroos squad that have the potential to become Socceroos" said Olyroos coach Aurelio Vidmar.

Vidmar took over as head coach of the Olyroos last year, and knows that despite facing a lesser opponent in June, the Olyroos can't afford to take the matches lightly.

The Olyroos have not missed the Olympic Games since appearing in Seoul 1988.

"It's all pretty tight and on any day anyone can win, so you really need to as always bring your A-game to match-day," he said.

"I know if we can get them fit and in the right frame of mind, then we're just worried about getting over this hurdle first and then improving."

This training camp was a first of its kind integrating the Olyroos with the under-20 national squad, the Young Socceroos.

Many of the young players at the camp could one day step onto the world's biggest stage, and are hoping to impress in front of their coaches and fellow competitors.

Young Socceroos player Jason Geria says he has enjoyed learning new skills.

"Pretty much all the players here are a-league based, you've got some a-league winners in here, and a-league finalists," he said.

"There's great coaching staff here and we're all going to learn alot from that," said Olyroos squad member Oliver Bozanic.

Bozanic says that even though Football at the Olympics, pales in camparison to the FIFA World Cup, the prospect of becoming an Olympian is a significant incentive.

"It's up there as one of the major events so it'd be great to get there," he said.

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