Has self-interest from A-League clubs landed a blow to the development of Australia's best young players? That's certainly the sentiment within the national team set-up. A-League coaches and chairmen lauded the Olyroos' withdrawal from an invitational friendly in Hong Kong scheduled for next week as a victory for the clubs, but it could come at a significant cost for the progress of our youth national teams who are already falling behind the pacesetters in Asia.
The Olyroos were knocked out of the group stage of the last Asian Championships, failed to qualify for the last two Olympics and lost another opportunity to gain international experience after Football Federation Australia knocked-back an invitation to take part in the Hong Kong Lunar New Year Cup amid pressure from clubs.
![Olyroos coach Josep Gombau left bruised after a bitter stoush with A-League clubs.](/web/20170122213202im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/j/3/u/l/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gtvozz.png/1484896831917.jpg)
The friendly two-game tournament that has been running since 1949 would have pit a team of domestic-based young Australian players against South Korean champions FC Seoul, Thai champions Muangthong United and the hosts, seven-time Hong Kong champions Kitchee SC. Adelaide United chairman Greg Griffin celebrated Australia's withdrawal, labelling it a "mickey mouse" competition, despite presenting a rare opportunity for a youth team to play high quality, senior opposition - two of which had already qualified for the 2017 Asian Champions League group stage. Sources suggest claims such as Griffin's did no favours for Australia's political stance in the region either, mocking host nation's generous invitations to bring our teams into their tournaments.
It's understood national team coaches are furious with the club's stand-off over player availability they suggest hampered their preparations for upcoming major tournaments. The Olyroos play far fewer games than regional rivals due to a small budget and high travel costs. That the hosts of the Lunar New Year Cup offered to pay for all expenses makes it a sore point for the national teams set-up.
"Just like the millions of people who support the Socceroos and the Matildas, we want to see them win at the world's biggest tournaments," FFA chief executive David Gallop said. "FFA's job is to get the balance right in how football's limited resources are allocated and how the sometimes competing requirements of the national teams and the A-League and W-League are managed and we take that responsibility very seriously."
Fairfax Media understands the clubs most unhappy about the tournament were those languishing in the bottom half of the table as the FFA made every attempt to minimise the impact of player withdrawals on the A-League. No more than two players likely to feature in round 17 were selected from each club. A handful would have started next weekend, even those regarded as first-team players for the Olyroos were not called upon for the tournament if it would jeopardise their club positions.
Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Paul Izzo was not selected due to the risk of losing his place to Ivan Necevski, so too with Mariners winger Trent Buhagiar. The Wanderers would lose Jonathan Aspropotamitis and Josh Sotirio for one match. Sydney FC spared with just one absence in George Blackwood. Melbourne City would be without Ruon Tongyik and Bruce Kamau, while Newcastle Jets were proud to have Lachlan Jackson selected for international duty.
Yet it was insufficient to please the majority of clubs who fought hard and vehemently to prevent their players missing one A-League match, one that so few would likely start in. Instead they could have faced two senior teams that will take part in the ACL in front of crowds in Hong Kong. Now, the FFA made the compromise and the Olyroos will now play an intra-team friendly likely behind closed doors as part of a week-long training camp in Australia that won't see them miss an A-League match. It leaves them with just two other windows for friendly games before the week-long qualification tournament for the AFC Under-23 Championships starts in July.