The Subway Olyroos, Australia’s U23 Men’s National Team, are preparing themselves for an exciting yet challenging period as the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Qatar 2024 Qualifiers and Paris 2024 Olympic Games Qualifiers loom on the horizon.
Led by the seasoned coach and former Socceroo, Tony Vidmar, the talented players in this age group are eager to prove themselves on the international stage and aim to secure a spot in the final 23-player squad for these prestigious tournaments.
However, the path ahead is not without its challenges. Navigating the logistical intricacies of traversing over 11,000 kilometres to their base camp in Tajikistan, all while juggling the existing commitments of the players, presents a less-than-ideal scenario for match preparation. Nevertheless, Vidmar remains positive, knowing that the team’s preparation has been nothing short of excellent.
“We had a fantastic lead-up to the Maurice Revello Tournament in France and the pre-camp at the Australian Institute of Sport European Training Centre in Gavirate, Italy. I believe that has prepared us well for the upcoming qualifiers,” Vidmar said.
“Italy was my first real engagement with this group of players. We played two games there and had another week of training at the European Training Centre before the Maurice Ravello Tournament in France, where we played five games.
“Now we go straight to Tajikistan, and the limited flights from Europe make it more challenging for those players to arrive earlier. We’ll get the A-League players five days before the camp starts, and the overseas-based players will join us two days before the first game.”
“We are aware of the challenges that come with having players scattered across the world. It’s crucial for them to be in the best physical and mental condition when they join the camp,” Vidmar said.
The Subway Olyroos will do battle against Laos and Tajikistan in the Qualification stage of the AFC U23 Asian Cup after DPR Korea’s withdrawal. Host nation Tajikistan looms as a real test for the Australians and something they aren’t taking lightly.
“We have to respect that we’re not just going to show up and think teams are going to roll over and we’re going to win easily,” Tony said.
“Tajikistan and Laos have plenty to fight for and I’m sure they will be hard-fought matches.”
To prepare as best as possible for the tournament, Vidmar maintains regular contact with both the A-League players and those overseas. He provides guidance and support, ensuring that the players feel connected and motivated for the upcoming obstacles.
“We want them to give themselves the best chance to succeed in these tournaments,” Vidmar said.
“One of the ultimate goals for these young Australian players is to make the transition from the Subway Olyroos to the senior men’s team.
“It’s crucial we work closely with the Subway Socceroos staff to provide information and support for players making that transition.”
The hurdles the players face in these international competitions play a vital role in their growth as players and individuals. The experiences they gain, both on and off the pitch, help them mature and improve as professional players ready to take on the world.
“The shared experiences and camaraderie within the team build a strong culture. It’s a joy to work with such a dedicated group of players and staff,” Vidmar continues.
“We maintain open communication with the players, and they support each other like a brotherhood.”
If the Olyroos’ are successful in Qualifying for next year’s AFC U23 Asian Cup, the tournament also doubles as a qualifier for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. However, Vidmar and the squad aren’t looking that far ahead and have their sights firmly locked on the first task at hand.
“There’s that big carrot down the road so you want to be playing well in the Asian Cup.
“We need to be at our best in this first phase, we need to make sure that we do everything to the best of our ability and that gives us an opportunity to progress to the next round.”
The Subway Olyroos’ squad for the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Qatar 2024 Qualifiers will be announced on August 17 with the qualifiers set to take place between September 4 – 12.
To qualify for the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Qatar 2024, Australia will need to finish as group winner or be one of the four best second placed teams among all eleven groups.
Should the Subway Olyroos qualify for the 16-team AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Qatar 2024, they will need to finish in the top three to automatically qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as the AFC representatives, while the fourth-best team will play an AFC-CAF play-off match for the final qualification spot.
