Vidmar and Talbot discuss draw with Jordan

Australia U23 Head Coach Tony Vidmar and captain Callum Talbot praised Jordan's defensive resoluteness after the Olyroos played out a 0-0 draw in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ opener.

The Aussies dominated possession and fired more shots at goal but could not break the deadlock against a disciplined and organised Jordan outfit, who at times also threatened on the counter-attack.

• MATCH REPORT: Olyroos play out goalless stalemate against Jordan

Vidmar said his side can build on its performance after being stifled by the Chivalrous Ones.

"The first game of the tournament is always a difficult one against an opponent who was very resolute, very good defensively, made it difficult for us to play football so was full credit to the Jordan," he told reporters in the post-match press conference.

"It's a point, we didn't concede so it's the start of our platform for for the tournament."

Going into the tournament, the 76-time capped Socceroo expected no straightforward game with Jordan re-emphasising that belief.

Vidmar mentioned that while their playing philosophy is to attack and control matches, they had to be equally cognisant of Jordan's skill in transition which at times limited the number of bodies they could throw forward.

He said they will need to quickly adapt to facing sides who have a tendency to sit in a low block.

"We knew going into this tournament there's not going to be any any easy games, Jordan are a very well organised team, defended so well, individually defended well," he continued.

"It's a credit to them and you have to be mindful that you want to get numbers forwards, you want to create as many chances as you can but also in the back of your mind that they have two strikers who are excellent on on transition. 

"So it's a little bit of a cat and mouse game for us. We want to play football on the front foot, but sometimes you have teams who defend well and are well structured and then sometimes you might have to change a little bit on the way that you try to create chances."

Meanwhile, Talbot added the team can take confidence from keeping a clean sheet but must look at ways of improving to unlock tight defences.

"I don't think it's a negative I think it's a point in the right direction. A clean sheet as well which is a real positive going forward," the 23-year-old right-back said.

"I just think they sat in a very good block and they defended really well. 

"We sort of found it hard to try and to get through them with so many bodies that they had at the back, and it was it was quite tough when we were committing bodies forward. 

"They were quite good on the transition."

The Olyroos next face another stern test with Indonesia on Thursday evening (AEST) and Vidmar is anticipating a difficult encounter but embracing the challenge.

"We look forward to Indonesia, which is going to be a really good game," Vidmar concluded.

"Ten of their players were at the senior Asian Cup. So a real test and they were impressive in the senior Asian Cup in in January. 

"So that's what we're here for. We're here to be tested against good opposition, different types of football, and it's only going to make our players better for the for the experience."

AFC U-23 ASIAN CUP QATAR 2024™ FINALS – GROUP A

Australia 0
Jordan 0
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+