Tommy Oar


Thomas Michael Oar is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Central Coast Mariners in the Hyundai A-League. At the conclusion of the 2019–20 A-League season, Oar will join new expansion club Macarthur FC.
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.
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.

Early life

Oar's paternal grandparents have Basque heritage.
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

Brisbane Roar

Oar signed a three-year deal with the Brisbane Roar at the commencement of the 2008/09 season. In his second game against the Wellington Phoenix he scored his first league goal, a 90th minute free kick to win the game 3-2.

FC Utrecht

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.
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. 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. In December 2010 he made his European debut in a Europa League game against Liverpool FC at Anfield.
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.

Ipswich Town

On 29 August 2015 it was announced Oar had signed a three year contract with Ipswich Town. He made his starting debut against Manchester United at Old Trafford, and scored his first Ipswich goal in an FA Cup match against Portsmouth FC.

Return to Brisbane Roar

In 2016, Oar rejoined Brisbane Roar on a contract for 2.5 seasons following his stint in England. 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

Despite signing a marquee contract with Brisbane Roar, Oar joined Cypriot club APOEL in June 2017. Oar made his competitive debut for APOEL in a UEFA Champions League qualifying win over Dudelange on 12 July 2017. During his time in APOEL, Oar was used as a utility player, playing all positions across the Midfield and at Left Back.

Central Coast Mariners

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

On 15 January 2020, Macarthur FC announced Oar as their inaugural signing, starting from the 2020–21 A-League season.

International career

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. On 3 March 2010 he made his debut for Australia in a 1–0 win over Indonesia in the final 2011 Asian Cup Qualifier. His performance in this match led to comparisons to Harry Kewell and the potential for Oar to succeed the Australian great.
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. The goal went on to be voted Goal of the Tournament.
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. 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

Club

International

International goals

NoDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
14 June 2013Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama, Japan1–01–12014 FIFA World Cup qualification
217 June 2015Spartak Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan2–02–12018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Club

APOEL
;Australia