Olyroos going into U23 Asian Cup 'with a lot of confidence' says Hollman
The Subway Olyroos are just days out from their AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ opener and Jake Hollman says the squad are focussed on qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics via the tournament.
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That is what midfielder Jake Hollman made clear ahead of the first group stage match on Monday, April 15 against Jordan.
The 22-year-old midfielder said the team is looking forward to getting the tournament underway, and their sights are firmly set on winning.
“The team's ready to go, everyone knows the significance of the first game let alone the tournament, so yes, we are ready to go,” he said.
“Every player knows, and every staff member knows what the goal is and that's to qualify for the Olympics and not just to qualify but get the gold medal.
“We think it's achievable and attainable and we're going to set out to do that.”
He did say whilst the group are focussed and training hard, they have found time to relax, settle and enjoy the city of Doha.
“There's a really good games room set up with pool table, snooker table and ping pong table and a lot of the boys are very competitive in and around those areas,” he said.
“You'll find throughout the day a lot of boys are spending a couple hours there and then outside of that just now that Ramadan's finished boys are going out and getting some coffee at cafes and getting some fresh air.”
This group of players are familiar with one another after the core group of players finished runners up at the WAFF Championship in March this year.
Hollman said the togetherness runs deep as a lot of the squad have played together for a couple of years, and they are all familiar with one another through the A League.
“We're all very well equipped of how we are and how we all play, and at the last tournament and even the previous tournaments we've performed very well so yes we're going in with a lot of confidence,” he said.
On a personal level, Hollman is hoping to take his form in the A League with Macarthur FC into his Olyroos performances.
“I think with the Olyroos I play a bit more in attacking role than what I do at my club,” he said.
“I think you can get the best out of me a bit higher up the field, so goals and assists and goal contributions are definitely what I'm looking to bring this tournament to help with the team.”
He added that the quality within this Olyroos squad is testament to the A League and the development of youth in recent years.
“I think the A League doesn't get enough credit for the quality it possesses,” he said.
“There's obviously players that weren't released from their European clubs, which hurt for a little bit, but we've got the quality to bring in other players that have played regularly throughout the season in Australia.”
He finished by emphasising the importance of the team doing their country proud.
He said: “I just want to reinforce the message that we're here to do a job and hopefully do Australia proud.”
AFC U-23 ASIAN CUP QATAR 2024™ FINALS – GROUP A
Australia v Jordan
Monday, 15 April 2024
Kick-off: 4pm (local) / 11pm AEST
Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha
Indonesia v Australia
Thursday, 18 April 2024
Kick-off: 4pm (local) / 11pm AEST
Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha
Qatar v Australia
Sunday, 21 April 2024
Kick-off: 6:30pm (local) / 1:30am AEST (Monday, 22 April)
Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha
All matches Live on Paramount+