Thomas Michael "Tommy" Oar (born December 10, 1991 in Southport, Gold Coast, Queensland) is anAustralian footballer who plays for Utrecht in the Dutch Eredivisie.[1]
Club career
Brisbane Roar
He attended All Saints Anglican School on the Gold Coast graduating in 2008. Oar signed a three-year deal with the Brisbane Roar at the commencement of the 2008/09 season.[2] In his second game, against theWellington Phoenix, he scored his first league goal, which was a match winning goal from a free-kick in the 91st minute.[3]
Oar previously played at Palm Beach Sharks football club on the Gold Coast (along with fellow Roar youngster, Mitch Nichols), before gaining selection in the Gold Coast Representative system, and eventually the Queensland Academy of Sport, where he was hand picked by Queensland Roar coach Frank Farina to join the A-League side.
He received his first red card in Round 3 of the 2009–10 season in a match against Wellington Phoenix.[4]
FC Utrecht
In January 2010, Oar signed with Dutch agent Rob Jansen and was immediately linked with a move at the end of the 2009–10 season to Eredivisie giantsFeyenoord Rotterdam and has since been invited to train for the remainder of the season with another Dutch club in FC Utrecht with fellow Roar players,Michael Zullo and Adam Sarota.[5]
In March 2010, due to his impressive performances throughout the season he was award the Rising Star award for the Best Young Player and selected on the bench in the A-League Team of the Year.[6]
In March 2010, he was invited to trial with Dutch side FC Utrecht after catching the attention of Utrecht's director of football, Foeke Booy, with his impressive display in his debut for the Socceroos against Indonesia.[7] On 2 April 2010 he, along with fellow Roar players, Michael Zullo and Adam Sarota, joined FC Utrecht on a 5 year deal, in a collective transfer deal where the fee is said to be worth in excess of A$1.8 million.[8][9]
On 15 July 2010, Oar made his debut for his new club Utrecht coming on in the 89th minute of their 4–0 victory over KF Tirana in the UEFA Europa League.[10] On 15 August 2010, he made his Eredivisie debut coming on as a 87th minute substitute. His run-on debut ended in defeat when FC Utrecht were beaten 4–0 away at FC Twente on 29 August 2010.[11]
Tommy played the last 20 minutes of a Europa League match for Utrecht against Liverpool at Anfield on 15 December 2010.
On 22 September 2011, Oar scored a screamer for his Dutch club FC Utrecht in their second-round KNVB Cup match against De Graafschap, but it was not enough for FC Utrecht to progress to round three, with the Eredivise club bundled out on penalties.[12]
International career
On 22 December 2009 he was called up to the Australian national team squad for a 2011 Asian Cup Qualifier against Kuwait, however he did not get any match time.[13] On 3 March 2010, he made his debut in Australia's 1–0 win over Indonesia in their final 2011 Asian Cup Qualifier.[14][15][16] His outstanding performance in this match led many within the media to draw comparisons to Harry Kewell and his potential to succeed him as a Socceroo regular.[17][18][19][20] On Monday 24, 2010 he was given another Socceroos cap against New Zealand in a pre-world cup friendly. He was given 10 minutes and impressed with his surging runs, and energy. His display may have helped lead coach Pim Verbeek to the decision to take him to the World Cup in South Africa in the 28-man squad over fellow Australian midfielder Nick Carle. Oar was unable to make the cut to be in the final 23 Australian World Cup squad. He was re-called to the squad for Australia's first match after the World Cup, a friendly against Slovenia on 11 August 2010. On 2 January 2011, Oar was called up to the Australian 2011 Asian Cup squad as replacement for Richard Garcia, who had to undergo surgery for an injured knee, resulting in his unavailability. In Aug 2011 he went to 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. He later said that it was the best goal of his career.[21] The goal went on to be voted Goal of the Tournament.[22]
International goals
- Scores and results lists Australia's goals first
Biodata Tommy Oar Personal information Full name Thomas Michael Oar Date of birth 10 December 1991 Place of birth Southport, Gold Coast,
Queensland, AustraliaHeight 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) Playing position Winger / Attacking Midfielder Club information Current club FC Utrecht Number 10 Youth career 2006–2007 Palm Beach 2007–2008 QAS Senior career* Years Team Apps† (Gls)† 2008–2010 Brisbane Roar 26 (2) 2010– FC Utrecht 62 (3) National team‡ 2008–2011 Australia U-20 33 (4) 2010– Australia 10 (1) * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 12 May 2013. † Appearances (Goals).‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 18 June 2013
