Australia almost missed out on the AFC's newest competition - crucial one for youth development - after they were smashed 5-0 by Japan.

It was left to hosts Indonesia to beat Singapore in the final match to ensure our qualification

Okon and his boys watched from their hotel as Indonesia did the job for them and Australia finished second to Japan in the six-team group to seal their place in the first U22 AFC showpiece.

But Okon told au.fourfourtwo.com he was confident qualification was never in doubt and that the achievements of his players needed to be put in perspective.

The squad at Indonesia was a watered down Young Socceroos side, he insisted, younger than required for these matches, and weakened by the unavailability of some overseas-based talent.

This squad was deliberately selected to give them precious experience ahead of the U19 Asian Cup in November, which doubles as the qualifiers for the U20 World Cup next year.

“The big thing for us we noticed through the Olyroo campaign is that at the top international level our players aren't match hardened,” Okon said. “We don't have enough games for them.

“Qualifying (for the U22 Asian Cup) guarantees this group more games at that level. So it was a massive achievement and we're delighted to have qualified.”

“The decision was made partly because of the limited preparation time the Young Socceroos will have in the lead up to November. I think sending the Young Socceroos now was certainly the right decision.

“At no stage did we feel that the team was too young. In hindsight I think the decision to take the (born in) '93 and '94 boys showed that they're good enough to play up an age group.

“In fact the youngest player in our team (Ben Garuccio, 17, of the AIS) was probably one of our best players at the tournament.”

Okon also revealed the nightmarish climatic conditions his unit faced in Indonesia, a factor he said not fully appreciated by many back home.

The team had to play their five matches in just 10 days, with all but one played in the daytime in temperatures in the mid-30s and humidity over 60 percent.

Aussie players were coming from the middle of winter and a long A-League break, while others like Japan were in the full swing of their current season.

“For the last game against Japan some boys had to back up and a few had heat exhaustion and were vomiting at half time,” Okon said.

“We had five players come down with stomach viruses, one player lost five kilos. If you consider everything, they did magnificently well.

“I don't think at any stage did we feel like we weren't going to qualify. Indonesia was always going to beat Singapore in that last game.

“We only really let ourselves down against Singapore (in a 0-0 draw) when Terry Antonis got sent off and we played 60 minutes with 10 men.

“Aside from our last game against Japan which we're all disappointed with, we're all very proud of what we achieved.”

Japan also sent a younger squad to the qualifiers, making their 5-0 dismantling of Australia all the more impressive.

“With Japan being in season, we were no opposition for them physically, and technically they showed they were a better team than us," said Okon.

“We conceded five very sloppy goals and looking back now they were goals that even under immense fatigue we shouldn't have conceded.”

Socceroos legend Okon said the challenge of battling logistics and conditions rather than focusing on tactics and structure was a frustrating part of being an Australian national team coach in Asia but something he had to accept.

But he said he and his young squad had learned valuable lessons out of their Indonesian adventure.

“Asia is not an easy territory," he said. "Games in Oceania were a walk in the park. The Asian countries are technically very good. Against Australia they make it very difficult for us, they defend for their lives.

“We all understand now the difficulties of playing in Asia. In November in the U20 qualifiers we'll be playing every second day. Some players will be required to back up.

"This is a preparation for them physically and mentally for what's required if we're going to get to Turkey next year for the U20 World Cup.”