Perth Glory defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley has been selected in the Socceroos squad to tackle Indonesia in the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2011 qualifier in Jakarta.
Perth Glory defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley has been selected in the Socceroos squad to tackle Indonesia in the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2011 qualifier in Jakarta.
Topor-Stanley is one of only six players selected that have previously worn the Socceroos shirt in what is a new look line-up for the national side. In a show faith in the quality of players plying their trade locally, Head Coach Pim Verbeek has selected his entire 21 man team from Australian based players.
Topor-Stanley has enjoyed a solid second half of the 2008/09 season and Glory Coach Dave Mitchell said the 23 year old deserved his opportunity.
“Certainly when we moved Nikolai into a more central role he became a very important player for our club and that was evident in our performances and he has been rewarded for his efforts,” Mitchell said.
The Glory coach believes that several other Perth players are on the cusp of a call-up and will continue to press their case with Verbeek.
“If they-re looking at consistency then guys like Wayne Srhoj and Adriano Pellegrino have been excellent for us this season, while Nikita Rukavytsya has also developed into a more complete player.
“Wayne has built up his fitness after joining the club on the eve of the season and has been very steady and produced quality performances. Pellegrino as well has had a good season from the outset and been a reliable contributor.
“There will certainly be more opportunities for these players, and others, down the track and I-ll do what I can to ensure they-re front of mind when the squads are selected,” Mitchell said.
Topor-Stanley will be available for the Glory-s final match of the season against Queensland on Saturday in Brisbane before flying out to join the Socceroos squad in Jakarta.
The Socceroos have been drawn in Group B and will battle it out against Indonesia, Kuwait and Oman to progress to the AFC Asian Cup 2011 which will be held in Qatar.
Socceroos Squad
Daniel Allsopp (Melbourne Victory)*, Billy Celeski (Melbourne Victory), Shannon Cole (Sydney FC), Robert Cornthwaite (Adelaide United), Tarek Elrich (Newcastle Jets), Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United), Dean Heffernan (Central Coast Mariners), Scott Jamieson (Adelaide United), Dylan Macallister (Central Coast Mariners), Matt McKay (Queensland Roar)*, Craig Moore (Queensland Roar)*, Tom Pondeljak (Melbourne Victory)*, Paul Reid (Adelaide United), Matt Simon (Central Coast Mariners), Michael Theoklitos (Melbourne Victory), Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory)*, Matt Thompson (Newcastle Jets), Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Perth Glory)*, Rodrigo Vargas (Melbourne Victory), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners), Michael Zullo (Queensland Roar)
* previously represented the Socceroos
AFC Asian Cup 2011 Qualifying Stage – Group B
Indonesia v Australia
Wednesday 28 January 2009 at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia
Kick Off 8:30pm AWDT
