Talking Points: Tony Vidmar discusses AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ squad

Subway Olyroos Tony Vidmar spoke to the media discussing his latest squad selection ahead of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™.

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The squad will assemble in Doha from Monday, 8 April to begin preparations for the tournament – which doubles as AFC Qualifiers for the Paris 2024™ Olympics.

The tournament kicks off on Monday, 15 April with the Subway Olyroos placed in Group A alongside Jordan, Indonesia and Qatar.

The AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ squad is filled with an abundance of Isuzu UTE A-League talent, as well as players based overseas.

Here are some of the main talking points from Australia U23 Head Coach, Tony Vidmar's press conference.

The strength and growth of the squad

Vidmar began by stating he was thrilled to see the development of a number of players in the squad, particularly those in the Isuzu UTE A-League, who have further improved from receiving consistent playing time.

"There's a number of those players who have grown and not only as people but as players and and you can see that. The amount of football they are getting, how much they're improving, and then they've been able to put that into international football. 

"Jake Hollman has been excellent for us, Nishan Velupillay and Ryan Teague. Jake (Girdwood-Reich) has done well, and Alex Popovic has made his move to South Korea started well for his club. And this is what we're trying to create with this age group with the 23 is also with Trevor's 20s (Young Socceroos coach Trevor Morgan) is giving them as much international exposure as possible to throw them into a situation of getting a move overseas."

Key inclusions of Marco Tilio, Garang Kuol and Mohamed Toure

Vidmar was delighted to have named three attackers boasting Socceroos pedigree in the side in Marco Tilio, Garang Kuol and Mohamed Toure, praising their quality.

"Both of them have been excellent, they've been Socceroos, they've been to a (FIFA) World Cup. So they're two players who are important to this group. Garang (Kuol) has been unfortunate where at the start of the first half of the season he was playing but then all of a sudden at the club, there was an upheaval with the board members resigning, the coach resigning, but in this recent window he was good. 

"We know the quality of Marco Tilio, he just has that aura about him where he can turn games and we're hoping that he performs at his best. Mo Toure has made his debut as a Socceroo as well. So they're the type of players that you want to really be the dominant ones."

Decision to bring an extra midfielder

For the tournament, Vidmar highlighted the importance of tactical flexibility with players able to operate in multiple positions. As a result, the 53-year-old's decision to call up an extra midfielder has come at the expense of a defender.

"In this last window, we needed to bring in players like Rhys Youlley and Jordi Valadon, we were a bit light in the midfield department. So we've actually had to bring in an extra midfielder than we normally would. 

"We've gone with one less defender and unfortunately that was the toughest decision leaving Lucas Mauragis out. He's been very good for us, his club form has been good. We've just had to go with one less defender, and having players who are flexible and playing a number of positions."

Challenges with European clubs not releasing players

Several eligible players including Alessandro Circati (Parma Calcio 1913), Nicholas Bilokapic (Peterborough United FC), Calem Nieuwenhof (Heart of Midlothian FC), Cameron Peupion (Brighton & Hove Albion FC), Nectarios Triantis (Hibernian FC) and Patrick Yazbek (Viking FK) were not released by their clubs and deemed unavailable.

"I visited a majority of the clubs where the players were, we were confident that we were going to get a good percentage of those players. And then when it came closer to the time, we lost (Nicholas) Bilokapic, (Nectarios) Triantis, (Calem) Nieuwenhof, (Patrick) Yazbek and (Cameron) Peupion. 

"(Alessandro) Circati was always going to be a difficult one. I spoke to Circati and he was keen months ago to to be involved. So all of these players were so keen and desperate to be involved and we're very disappointed that the clubs haven't haven't released them." 

Rationale behind Nestory Irankunda's omission from the squad

Vidmar explained his reasoning for leaving out Adelaide United forward Nestory Irankunda, stressing he has the youngster's best interests at heart. 

"What’s happened to him this season, I think he’s on a rollercoaster 24/7… At the moment, we don't want to damage him. He's just turned 18. It’s a big ask for him to come in and all these expectations from people outside… and it’s been challenging for him. To throw that on a young kid, it can do more damage.

"… The human being is number one. I could be selfish, and just bring him in for the sake of it, but… we feel that the bigger picture is the national team, the Socceroos.

"You want to be talking about him for the next 15 years as a national team player... Where he's the first one selected. When he’s flying, and he’s ready to be that Socceroo player, then we’re going to sit back and just think, that’s the right thing, and that’s the right decision to be made."

SUBWAY OLYROOS SQUAD | AFC U-23 ASIAN CUP QATAR 2024™ | APRIL 15 – 3 MAY

SUBWAY OLYROOS SQUAD | MATCH SCHEDULE – GROUP A | AFC U-23 ASIAN CUP QATAR 2024™

Australia U-23 v Jordan U-23
Monday, 15 April 2024
Kick-off: 4.00pm AST / 11pm AEST
Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha

Indonesia U-23 v Australia U-23
Thursday, 18 April 2024
Kick-off: 4.00pm AST / 11pm AEST
Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha

Qatar U-23 v Australia U-23
Sunday, 21 April 2024
Kick-off: 6.30pm AST / 1.30am AEST (Monday, 22 April)
Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha