Joel King Earns Olympic Selection

Sydney FC youngster and 2020/21 Young Footballer of the Year Joel King has been richly rewarded for his form this season with selection in the Olyroos squad for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games.

King enjoyed a standout season at left back for the Sky Blues, starting every game of the season in the club’s run to the 2021 A-League Grand Final, and will form part of an 18-player Australian squad competing at the games for the first time since 2008.

20-year-old King, one of the youngster members of the squad, said he was thrilled with the call up.

“It’s a great surprise, with the amount of quality players in my position both in Australia and abroad I definitely wasn’t expecting a call up from Graham Arnold,” King said.

“It’s an achievement that my family and myself are extremely proud of.

“I have no doubt the level of football at the Olympic Games is world class so I’m excited to test myself against some of the best young players in the world.”  

The Olyroos have been drawn in Group C with Egypt, Spain and Argentina, and will open their campaign on 22 July in Sapporo against the Argentinians.

Olyroos Head Coach Graham Arnold said the team could shock the world in Tokyo.

“It is such a special moment and special time, I am really excited to get to Japan, I can’t wait,” Arnold said.

“My expectations are that we are going to shock the world and we are going to go out there, play on the front foot, we’re not going to go out there trying not to lose the game, we are going out there expecting to win the game and it doesn’t matter who we play.”

“The players that have been selected they are all excited, they are all grateful for the opportunity and the chance. The strength of the Socceroos is the Olyroos and I do expect these kids to really step up.

“People might want to look at it as a ‘Group of Death’ but for me it is a ‘Group of Dreams’. It is what you dream about and you want to play these types of teams (Argentina, Spain, Egypt) and test yourself against the best in the world.”  

The Olympic tournament features under-23 players, with three overage players eligible for selection. The delay to Tokyo 2020 resulted in an extension of the age group, so any player eligible for the initial competition dates in 2020 remains eligible for the Games this year.

Australian Olympic Team for Tokyo – Men’s Football