Inside Sport

Paul Okon pulls out of tournament


https://forum.insidesport.com.au/Topic2208322.aspx

By Decentric - 6 Aug 2015 7:57 AM

http://www.goal.com/en-au/news/7080/young-socceroos-olyroos/2015/08/05/14175572/australia-pulls-out-of-youth-tournament

y Iain Strachan0



05/08/2015 20:03:00
Exclusive: Paul Okon is taking a different approach to preparing for a key event next month, as he seeks to make up for recent disappointments

Australia has withdrawn from the AFF Under-19 Youth Championship as the Young Socceroos coaching staff respond to the team's failure to qualify for this year's FIFA Under-20 World Cup.

The AFF U-19 Youth Championship, which has been held annually since 2005, will take place in Laos between August 22 and September 4.

The timing of this year's event was intended to serve as preparation for the more significant AFC U-19 Championship qualification tournament, which begins on September 28 and is a key first step on the road to the 2017 FIFA Under-20 World Cup.

Australia's Young Socceroos failed to qualify for this year's U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

Paul Okon, the head coach of Young Socceroos, described last year's AFF U-19 Youth Championship as a valuable yardstick for measuring the progress of his players.

“This is another opportunity for us to get more international match experience against competitive opposition in the lead up to the AFC U-19 Championship,” Okon said in August 2014

“From these matches we will be able to assess the level of preparedness of each player.

“At this stage no player is assured as position in the final squad for the AFC U-19 Championship and their performance at this tournament will be an important factor when it comes to selection time."

Australia lost to both Japan and Vietnam at the event, before failing to get out of their group at the subsequent AFC U-19 Championship, costing the Young Socceroos a place on the big stage in New Zealand.

And it appears that chastening experience may have prompted a change in approach from Football Federation Australia, who last month appointed Darren Davies, a member of Melbourne Victory's A-League title-winning coaching staff, as Okon's new assistant.

Thailand Under-19 coach Nattapol Teepasuwan this week claimed his team would be forced to alter their approach to the AFF U-19 Youth Championship due to Australia pulling out.

'We'll have to adjust our preparations, as Australia decided to withdraw, our first match in Laos won't be as scheduled," he said.

And FFA on Wednesday confirmed Okon's team would not be attending the event.

"Team management has taken a different strategy to prepare for the AFC U-19 Championship Qualifiers," a spokesperson said.

Edited by Decentric: 6/8/2015 07:59:07 AM
By GloryPerth - 7 Aug 2015 12:36 AM

Decentric wrote:
With Darren Davies being appointed Okon's assistant, does that mean DD renounces his Victory role?

He is deemed to have had success. Yet by DD's own set of criteria he perceives his role at Victory as providing suitable players for the senior team, not winning the Youth League.

It would be good to get more detail from Okon and the FFA powers that be about the rationale for what they are doing. To most viewing this, a tournament seems a good option.

It has been good for the current Joeys.


Quote:
Davies appointed Young Socceroos assistant coach - 24 July 2015

Davies appointed Young Socceroos assistant coach

Football Federation Australia (FFA) has appointed Melbourne Victory Foxtel National Youth League Head Coach Darren Davies as Paul Okon’s assistant coach for the Young Socceroos (U20’s).

Davies starts his part time assistant coach role this week with the Young Socceroos in camp in Melbourne but will remain with Melbourne Victory in his current role on an on-going basis.

“We are delighted to welcome Darren Davies to the National coaching set up,” said FFA Head of National Performance Luke Casserly. “Darren has been identified as a talented young coach through his work with Melbourne Victory and also various coaching courses, bringing coaching acumen and a valuable knowledge of the young elite players throughout Australia.

“Darren will assist Paul Okon through the next World Cup cycle (U20s) and will continue to work with Victory during this period. We would like to thank Melbourne Victory for the professional way they handled the discussions to give us an outcome that allows Darren to assist the National Program and continue his work at club level.”

Davies expressed gratitude to both the FFA and Melbourne Victory before starting his new role, stating: “I am extremely grateful to Melbourne Victory for granting me the opportunity to work with the national under 20’s squad,” Davies said.

“It’s certainly an honour that the technical staff at FFA have sought my involvement and I am really looking forward to being involved in the national football program and further developing the best young talent in the country.”

Davies’ appointment was supported by Victory Head Coach Kevin Muscat, who said: “The opportunity for Darren to work with the national under 20’s squad is a well-deserved one and I am sure he’ll prove to be a valuable acquisition to the coaching staff.

“From a personal point of view, Darren’s appointment has my full support and I am delighted that it won’t change his role as youth head coach at Melbourne Victory in any way, enabling him to continue the fine work he has put into that area of our club over several years.

“It’s a credit to Darren that his coaching acumen has been acknowledged and in turn, he has now been introduced to the national program.”

...


Hope that's helpful Decentric - answers your questions?

Edited by GloryPerth: 8/8/2015 03:28:08 AM