Olyroo Cleur keen to realise Olympic dream

Olyroos defender Gabriel Cleur believes his side can rise to the expectation and finally end their decade-long Olympic exile.

Cleur

Gabriel Cleur in action for the Olyroos Source: Getty Images

Australia's Under-23s last competed at the Olympic Games in 2008, having since fallen short under Aurelio Vidmar for both London and Rio's international iteration.

But now, under Socceroos coach Graham Arnold, Cleur remains confident an "experienced" crop of players can help propel the nation past Korea Republic in Thursday's (AEDT) AFC U-23 Championship semi-final.

"It's been an experience to play under a coach like him (Arnold)," Cleur told The World Game.

"The experience he has had, both at an international and domestic stage, provides important insight.

"As a player, learning from each coach and taking something away is important.

"He is a passionate coach that wants to win and he inspires the boys with his energy.

"We have played against South Korea before so we have a general idea of what our roles and responsibilities will be, and a lot of the boys have been involved in important matches in their careers already.

"There is definitely pressure around the match but we are eager to rise to the task and can guarantee everyone will be giving 110%."

With a win securing a place in Tokyo, as well as a third-placed finish should Korea prevail, Cleur insisted his side were fully committed to the philosophy Arnold had set out before them.

"Coming from two camps with the Olyroos and playing against Asian teams, it (opposing styles) hasn't been too much of a shock," Cleur said.

"We tend to confront teams that sit everyone behind the ball, make it hard for playing space in the final third and have a lot of energy on the counter-attack."

With two appearances under his belt at this year's tournament in Thailand, the 21-year-old right-back admitted his style has suited Arnold's in-game demands.

"It's a style Arnie has encouraged; for the full-backs to rotate out and get on the shoulder of the wingers," he added.

"But it is also a playing style that I try to bring to my game and support the attacking play as much as I can.

"It comes very naturally to (Alex) Gersbach to basically play as a second winger."

Cleur currently plies his trade in Italy with Serie B outfit Virtus Entella and has spent the 2019-20 season on loan at Alessandria, where he has amassed 15 appearances.

The "growing experience" has allowed Cleur to continue his development in a nation Olyroos teammate Reno Piscopo recently left in favour of a return to Australia.

Piscopo has flourished in Wellington Phoenix colours this season, having spent the past eight years with Inter Milan, Torino and Renate respectively.

Speaking to The World Game via a conference call, the 21-year-old revealed "it was the best move for me to come to the A-League."

"I wanted to come back and make a name for myself here and hopefully in the future I can go back overseas or do great things in the A-League."

Such a career path has enticed Cleur, though the Australian assured there was still more for him to do across the pond.

"I have spoken to Reno about this a few times," Cleur added.

"I wouldn’t say I'd be against a move back to Australia but I still have a few more years contracted to my club in Italy and you never know what God's plan is."

A former Marconi and Western Sydney Wanderers junior, Cleur's decision to leave Australia for Europe has been a successful one thus far.

And with a few Olyroos caps already to his name, a place in Tokyo remains the next dream he hopes to make a reality.

"Individually, it would be so important to make the Olympics and open avenues on the international stage for the lads, as well as some looking to break into the Socceroos," Cleur said.

"As a country, it would be a very proud moment to represent Australia; it has been a while since we have qualified for the games."


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4 min read
Published 21 January 2020 7:39pm
By Jonathan Bernard

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