Tommy Oar Explained

Tommy Oar
Fullname:Thomas Michael Oar[1]
Birth Date:1991 12, df=yes
Birth Place:Southport, Queensland, Australia
Height:1.70 m[2]
Position:Midfielder
Youthyears1:1996–1997
Youthclubs1:Burleigh Heads
Youthyears2:1997–2006
Youthclubs2:Palm Beach
Youthyears3:2006–2007
Youthclubs3:QAS
Years1:2007–2010
Clubs1:Brisbane Roar
Caps1:23
Goals1:2
Years2:2010–2015
Clubs2:FC Utrecht
Caps2:127
Goals2:5
Years3:2015–2016
Clubs3:Ipswich Town
Caps3:9
Goals3:1
Years4:2016–2017
Clubs4:Brisbane Roar
Caps4:34
Goals4:2
Years5:2017–2018
Clubs5:APOEL
Caps5:27
Goals5:0
Years6:2018–2020
Caps6:31
Goals6:0
Years7:2020–2022
Clubs7:Macarthur FC
Caps7:39
Goals7:2
Totalcaps:302
Totalgoals:14
Nationalyears1:2008–2011
Nationalcaps1:34
Nationalgoals1:6
Nationalyears2:2010–2015
Nationalteam2:Australia
Nationalcaps2:28
Nationalgoals2:2
Pcupdate:19 July 2022
Ntupdate:20 February 2016

Thomas Michael Oar (born 10 December 1991) is a retired Australian professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Born on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Oar played youth football for Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach and at the Queensland Academy of Sport before making his professional debut for Brisbane Roar in 2008. He joined Dutch club FC Utrecht in 2010, making over 100 appearances for the side before moving to England to play for Ipswich Town in 2015. He later joined Cypriot giants Apoel Nicosia, before returning to the A-League.

Oar has twenty eight caps with the Australian national team, scoring two goals. He participated in the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2011 and 2015 Asian Cups, with Australia winning the latter. He was part of the Australia U-20 side at the 2009 and 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cups, scoring the goal of the tournament in the latter edition. He was also nominated for the Socceroos' 2010 FIFA World Cup squad at 18.

Early life

Oar's paternal grandparents have Basque heritage.[3]

Oar attended All Saints Anglican School on the Gold Coast graduating in 2008. Oar previously played at Palm Beach Sharks football club on the Gold Coast and eventually the Queensland Academy of Sport, where he was picked by Brisbane Roar.

Club career

Queensland Roar

Oar signed a three-year contract with Queensland Roar ahead of the 2008–09 A-League.[4] He made his A-League debut for the side on 14 December 2008, coming on in the 73rd minute of a late 2–1 win over Newcastle Jets.[5] In his second A-League appearance, on 28 December 2008, Oar scored a late free kick to secure a win over Wellington Phoenix.[6]

Oar won the A-League Young Footballer of the Year award for the 2009–10 A-League.[7]

FC Utrecht

In January 2010, Oar signed with Dutch agent Rob Jansen and was linked with a move at the end of the 2009–10 season to Eredivisie squad Feyenoord Rotterdam and trained with FC Utrecht with fellow Roar players, Michael Zullo and Adam Sarota.[8]

In March 2010 he was award the Rising Star award for the Best Young Player and selected in the A-League Team of the Year.[9] On 2 April 2010 he, along with fellow Roar players Michael Zullo and Adam Sarota, joined FC Utrecht on a five-year deal, in a collective transfer deal said to be worth in excess of A$1.8 million.[10] [11] In December 2010 he made his European debut in a Europa League game against Liverpool FC at Anfield.[12]

In the 2012–13 Eredivisie season Oar played every game in FC Utrecht's most successful season as they finished with 63 points and qualified for the Europa League. He was awarded 10th place in the Voetbal International Eredivisie player of the Year standings and was linked with clubs such as Benfica and Celtic F.C.[13]

Ipswich Town

On 29 August 2015, it was announced Oar had signed a two-year contract with Championship side Ipswich Town.[14] He made his debut for Ipswich in September 2015, starting in a loss to Manchester United in the League Cup.[15] After a further substitute appearance against Blackburn Rovers in the Championship, Oar made his starting debut for Ipswich against Huddersfield Town. He was forced to come off at halftime with concussion.[16]

Oar scored his first goal for Ipswich in a 2–2 draw against Portsmouth in the 2015–16 FA Cup in January 2016.[17]

In January 2016, Ipswich announced that Oar would leave the club by mutual consent after he requested his contract be terminated. Oar played nine matches for Ipswich in all competitions, scoring one goal.[18]

Return to Brisbane Roar

In 2016, Oar rejoined Brisbane Roar on a contract for 2.5 seasons following his stint in England.[19] In February 2017, Oar scored and assisted in a 2–0 victory over Carlos Tevez's Shanghai Shenhua, to qualify for the Asian Champions League.

APOEL FC

Despite signing a marquee contract with Brisbane Roar, Oar joined Cypriot club APOEL in June 2017.[20] Oar made his competitive debut for APOEL in a UEFA Champions League qualifying win over Dudelange on 12 July 2017.[21] During his time with APOEL, Oar was used as a utility player, playing all positions across the midfield and at left back.

Central Coast Mariners

In September 2018, Oar joined Central Coast Mariners on a two-year contract. He made his debut against his former club Brisbane Roar in a 1–1 draw. In his second season, Oar was regularly chosen as club captain when regular captain Matt Simon was not on the field. He was also used in a variety of different positions, including midfield, striker, and left back.

Macarthur FC

On 15 January 2020, Macarthur FC announced Oar as their inaugural signing, starting from the 2020–21 A-League season.[22] He has predominantly been used as a defensive midfielder during his time at the club. During the 2021/2022 A-League Season, Oar scored two long distance volleys which were both nominated for Goal of the Season. In July 2022, Oar announced his retirement from football.[23]

International career

On 22 December 2009 Oar was named in the Australian national team squad for the 2011 Asian Cup qualifier against Kuwait but did not play.[24] He then made his debut on 3 March 2010 in a 1–0 win over Indonesia, again in the 2011 Asian Cup qualifiers, wearing the number 121 shirt and thus became the first player to use a three-digit number in an international association football match.[25] [26] [27] His performance in this match led to comparisons to Harry Kewell and the potential for Oar to succeed the Australian great, and resulted in his selection in the 2010 FIFA World Cup squad.[28] [29] [30] [31] In August 2011 he played in the U-20 World Cup in Colombia where he scored a 30-yard free kick in the last minute of the game against Ecuador to level 1–1.[32] The goal went on to be voted Goal of the Tournament.[33] In 2013, Oar scored his first full international goal in a World Cup Qualifier against Japan. The matched finished 1–1, the goal aiding Australia's efforts to qualify for the 2014 World Cup.[34] Oar was later named as part of Australia's 2014 FIFA World Cup squad, where he started and played in all the respective group matches, and later in the 2015 Asian Cup squad.

Career statistics

Club

ClubSeasonDivisionLeagueNational CupLeague CupContinentalTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Brisbane Roar2008–09A-League5151
2009–10181181
Total232232
FC Utrecht2010–11Eredivisie700040110
2011–1218211193
2012–1331110321
2013–143113020361
2014–1518010190
Total105461601175
Ipswich Town2015–16Championship60211091
Brisbane Roar2015–16A-League60000060
2016–172411051302
Total3011051362
APOEL2017–18Cypriot First Division1904040270
Central Coast Mariners2018–19A-League11000110
2019–2020040240
Total31040350
Macarthur FC2020–21A-League21000210
2021–22A-League Men18220202
Total39220412
Career total25391921015128812

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Australia
201030
201110
201220
201361
201490
201571
Total282

Scores and results lists Australia's goals first, score column indicates score after each Oar goal.

No Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 4 June 2013 1–0 1–1 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 17 June 2015 2–0 2–1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

APOEL

Australia U19

Australia

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players: Australia . FIFA . 3 . 14 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200203092301/https://www.fifadata.com/document/FWC/2014/pdf/FWC_2014_SQUADLISTS.PDF . 3 February 2020.
  2. Web site: Tommy Oar. socceroos.com.au. Football Federation Australia. 4 September 2015. 18 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160318130825/http://www.socceroos.com.au/player/tommy-oar/1chvgvde07b7j1jdkpat8111sg. dead.
  3. Web site: Oar reveals: I almost joined Bilbao. socceroos.com.au. 18 August 2015 . Football Federation Australia. 18 August 2015.
  4. News: Oar sails into Roar. 24 April 2008. 21 February 2022. Jon. Ritson. FTBL.com.au.
  5. News: On Ya Dijk!. FTBL.com.au. 14 December 2008. 21 February 2022.
  6. News: Raw recruits inspire Oar. 30 December 2008. 21 February 2022. Sydney Morning Herald.
  7. News: Oar Wins NAB Young Footballer of the Year Award. Football Federation Australia. 17 February 2010. 21 February 2022.
  8. Web site: Europe calls the best Brisbane Roar players . News.com.au . 1 February 2010 . 4 January 2012.
  9. Web site: Four Victory men in all-star team . Heraldsun.com.au . 16 March 2010 . 4 January 2012.
  10. Australisch trio tekent contract
  11. Web site: Roar cop triple blow . A-league.com.au . 4 January 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110929121312/http://a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=33317 . 29 September 2011 . dmy-all .
  12. Web site: Shock and Oar. SMH. 29 December 2010.
  13. Web site: Benfica target Tommy Oar. Benfica News. 22 January 2013.
  14. News: Tommy Oar: Ipswich Town sign Utrecht winer. 15 August 2015. 21 February 2022. BBC Sport.
  15. News: Oar reflects on his brush with an idol. David. Lewis. Special Broadcasting Service. 25 September 2015. 21 February 2022.
  16. News: Oarful experience leaves Tommy in a daze. 29 October 2015. 22 February 2022. David. Lewis. Special Broadcasting Service.
  17. News: Socceroos winger Oar nets in Ipswich draw with Portsmouth. Special Broadcasting Service. 22 February 2022. 10 January 2016.
  18. News: Tommy Oar leaves Ipswich after requesting contract termination. 23 January 2016. 22 February 2022. Special Broadcasting Service.
  19. Web site: Roar sign Socceroos winger. Football Federation Australia. 29 February 2016.
  20. News: Brisbane Roar winger Tommy Oar set to sign with Cypriot club Apoel FC. Marco. Monteverde. The Courier-Mail. 19 June 2017.
  21. Oar's APOEL claim UCL win. FourFourTwo. 13 July 2017. 13 July 2017. Somerford, Ben.
  22. Web site: Signing news: Oar becomes Macarthur FC's first signing. Hyundai A-League. en. 2020-01-15.
  23. News: Ex-Socceroo Oar announces retirement. Ed. Jackson. The Sunday Times. 19 July 2022.
  24. Web site: Oar called up to Socceroos squad . ABC . Australia . 22 December 2009 . 4 January 2012.
  25. Web site: Monteverde . Marco . Tommy Oar to make Socceroos debut in Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia . The Daily Telegraph . Australia . 3 March 2010 . 4 January 2012.
  26. Web site: Oar ready for Socceroos debut . News.smh.com.au . 2 March 2010 . 4 January 2012.
  27. Web site: Tommy's Oar-some debut . Theworldgame.sbs.com.au . 3 March 2010 . 4 January 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120323031240/http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/socceroos/news/972922/Tommy-s-Oar-some-debut . 23 March 2012 . dead . dmy-all .
  28. Web site: Now a Socceroo, the Roar's Oar soars . Brisbanetimes.com.au . 23 December 2009 . 4 January 2012.
  29. Web site: Roar's Oar comes to the fore . Brisbanetimes.com.au . 3 December 2009 . 4 January 2012.
  30. Web site: Tommy Oar youngest Socceroo since his hero Kewell . News.com.au . 22 December 2009 . 4 January 2012.
  31. Web site: Socceroos coach to keep eye on Oar . News.smh.com.au . 4 March 2010 . 4 January 2012.
  32. http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1038419/Oar-earns-ticket-for-Qatar Oar earns ticket for Asian Cup
  33. https://web.archive.org/web/20111001230309/http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/goalofthetournament/index.html
  34. http://www.voetbalzone.nl/doc.asp?uid=189265
  35. Young Roos Celebrate Silverware. https://web.archive.org/web/20081013022722/http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/86536,young-roos-celebrate-silverware.aspx. 13 October 2008. 12 October 2008. FourFourTwo. 13 September 2015.
  36. Web site: Tommy Oar. Football Federation Australia. 13 September 2015. 18 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160318130825/http://www.socceroos.com.au/player/tommy-oar/1chvgvde07b7j1jdkpat8111sg. dead.
  37. News: Tommy tops young talent. Brisbane Roar. 17 February 2010. 13 September 2015. 23 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923194812/http://www.brisbaneroar.com.au/article/tommy-tops-young-talent/10plm4hdib9p5114q4og3kljpq. dead.
  38. News: Muscat leads players' team of the season. Melbourne Victory. 17 March 2010. 13 September 2015. 24 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160124190700/http://www.melbournevictory.com.au/article/muscat-leads-players-a-league-team-of-season/1tjd03q10ef1m1dip1jkr8a0a2. dead.
  39. News: Schwarzer FFA's best. Sportal. 8 October 2010. 13 September 2015.
  40. News: https://web.archive.org/web/20111112041827/http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/goalofthetournament/index.html. Goal of the Tournament. 12 November 2011. FIFA. 13 September 2015.
  41. News: Privacyinstellingen op VI.nl .