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

Tommy Oar
Oar playing for the Central Coast Mariners in 2018
Personal information
Full name Thomas Michael Oar[1]
Date of birth (1991-12-10) 10 December 1991 (age 32)
Place of birth Southport, Queensland, Australia
Height 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1996–1997 Burleigh Heads
1997–2006 Palm Beach
2006–2007 QAS
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2010 Brisbane Roar 23 (2)
2010–2015 FC Utrecht 117 (5)
2015–2016 Ipswich Town 9 (1)
2016–2017 Brisbane Roar 35 (2)
2017–2018 APOEL 28 (0)
2018–2020 Central Coast Mariners 35 (0)
2020–2022 Macarthur FC 41 (2)
Total 316 (13)
International career
2008–2011 Australia U20 34 (6)
2010–2015 Australia 28 (2)
Medal record
Representing  Australia
Men's Association football
AFC Asian Cup
Winner 2015 Australia
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19 July 2022
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20 February 2016

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, winning Goal of the tournament in 2011. He also attended the 2010 FIFA World Cup at just 18 years old, although did not take to the field.

Early life edit

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 edit

Queensland Roar edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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.[citation needed] During the 2021/2022 A-League Season, Oar scored two long distance volleys which were both nominated for Goal of the Season.[citation needed] In July 2022, Oar announced his retirement from football.[23]

International career edit

On 22 December 2009 Oar was named in the Australian national team squad for the 2011 Asian Cup Qualifier against Kuwait but did not receive match time.[24] On 3 March 2010 he made his debut for Australia in a 1–0 win over Indonesia in the final 2011 Asian Cup Qualifier.[25][26][27] His performance in this match led to comparisons to Harry Kewell and the potential for Oar to succeed the Australian great.[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 edit

Club edit

As of 3 February 2022
Club Season Division League National Cup League Cup Continental Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Brisbane Roar 2008–09 A-League 5 1 5 1
2009–10 18 1 18 1
Total 23 2 23 2
FC Utrecht 2010–11 Eredivisie 7 0 0 0 4[a] 0 11 0
2011–12 18 2 1 1 19 3
2012–13 31 1 1 0 32 1
2013–14 31 1 3 0 2[a] 0 36 1
2014–15 18 0 1 0 19 0
Total 105 4 6 1 6 0 117 5
Ipswich Town 2015–16 Championship 6 0 2 1 1 0 9 1
Brisbane Roar 2015–16 A-League 6 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
2016–17 24 1 1 0 5[b] 1 30 2
Total 30 1 1 0 5 1 36 2
APOEL 2017–18 Cypriot First Division 19 0 4 0 4[c] 0 27 0
Central Coast Mariners 2018–19 A-League 11 0 0 0 11 0
2019–20 20 0 4 0 24 0
Total 31 0 4 0 35 0
Macarthur FC 2020–21 A-League 21 0 0 0 21 0
2021–22 A-League Men 18 2 2 0 20 2
Total 39 2 2 0 41 2
Career total 253 9 19 2 1 0 15 1 288 12
  1. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  2. ^ Appearances in AFC Champions League
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League

International edit

As of match played 17 November 2015[35]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Australia
2010 3 0
2011 1 0
2012 2 0
2013 6 1
2014 9 0
2015 7 1
Total 28 2
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 Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama, Japan   Japan 1–0 1–1 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 17 June 2015 Spartak Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan   Kyrgyzstan 2–0 2–1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours edit

APOEL

Australia U19

Australia

Individual

References edit

  1. ^ "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players: Australia" (PDF). FIFA. 14 July 2014. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2020.
  2. ^ "Tommy Oar". socceroos.com.au. Football Federation Australia. Archived from the original on 18 March 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  3. ^ "Oar reveals: I almost joined Bilbao". socceroos.com.au. Football Federation Australia. 18 August 2015. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
  4. ^ Ritson, Jon (24 April 2008). "Oar sails into Roar". FTBL.com.au. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  5. ^ "On Ya Dijk!". FTBL.com.au. 14 December 2008. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  6. ^ "Raw recruits inspire Oar". Sydney Morning Herald. 30 December 2008. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  7. ^ "Oar Wins NAB Young Footballer of the Year Award". Football Federation Australia. 17 February 2010. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  8. ^ "Europe calls the best Brisbane Roar players". News.com.au. 1 February 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  9. ^ "Four Victory men in all-star team". Heraldsun.com.au. 16 March 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  10. ^ (in Dutch) Australisch trio tekent contract
  11. ^ "Roar cop triple blow". A-league.com.au. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  12. ^ "Shock and Oar". SMH. Retrieved 29 December 2010.
  13. ^ "Benfica target Tommy Oar". Benfica News. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  14. ^ "Tommy Oar: Ipswich Town sign Utrecht winer". BBC Sport. 15 August 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  15. ^ Lewis, David (25 September 2015). "Oar reflects on his brush with an idol". Special Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  16. ^ Lewis, David (29 October 2015). "Oarful experience leaves Tommy in a daze". Special Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  17. ^ "Socceroos winger Oar nets in Ipswich draw with Portsmouth". Special Broadcasting Service. 10 January 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  18. ^ "Tommy Oar leaves Ipswich after requesting contract termination". Special Broadcasting Service. 23 January 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  19. ^ "Roar sign Socceroos winger". Football Federation Australia. 29 February 2016.
  20. ^ Monteverde, Marco (19 June 2017). "Brisbane Roar winger Tommy Oar set to sign with Cypriot club Apoel FC". The Courier-Mail.
  21. ^ Somerford, Ben (13 July 2017). "Oar's APOEL claim UCL win". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  22. ^ "Signing news: Oar becomes Macarthur FC's first signing". Hyundai A-League. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  23. ^ Jackson, Ed (19 July 2022). "Ex-Socceroo Oar announces retirement". The Sunday Times.
  24. ^ "Oar called up to Socceroos squad". Australia: ABC. 22 December 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  25. ^ Monteverde, Marco (3 March 2010). "Tommy Oar to make Socceroos debut in Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  26. ^ "Oar ready for Socceroos debut". News.smh.com.au. 2 March 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  27. ^ "Tommy's Oar-some debut". Theworldgame.sbs.com.au. 3 March 2010. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  28. ^ "Now a Socceroo, the Roar's Oar soars". Brisbanetimes.com.au. 23 December 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  29. ^ "Roar's Oar comes to the fore". Brisbanetimes.com.au. 3 December 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  30. ^ "Tommy Oar youngest Socceroo since his hero Kewell". News.com.au. 22 December 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  31. ^ "Socceroos coach to keep eye on Oar". News.smh.com.au. 4 March 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  32. ^ Oar earns ticket for Asian Cup Archived 5 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine theworldgame.com.au, 2 January 2011
  33. ^ [1] fifa.com, 26 August 2011
  34. ^ [2] June 2013
  35. ^ Tommy Oar at National-Football-Teams.com
  36. ^ "Young Roos Celebrate Silverware". FourFourTwo. 12 October 2008. Archived from the original on 13 October 2008. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  37. ^ "Tommy Oar". Football Federation Australia. Archived from the original on 18 March 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  38. ^ "Tommy tops young talent". Brisbane Roar. 17 February 2010. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  39. ^ "Muscat leads players' team of the season". Melbourne Victory. 17 March 2010. Archived from the original on 24 January 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  40. ^ "Schwarzer FFA's best". Sportal. 8 October 2010. Retrieved 13 September 2015.[permanent dead link]
  41. ^ "Goal of the Tournament". FIFA. Archived from the original on 12 November 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  42. ^ "Privacyinstellingen op VI.nl".

External links edit