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Tuesday 17 April 2007

Nikolai Topor-Stanley

Playing in the 2010 World Cup for Australia is now the focus for all Australian footballers and Sydney FC’s Nikolai Topor-Stanley could be a man in the right place at the right time.

Topor-Stanley, 22, is a left-sided defender with the Olyroos and Sydney FC. He recently signed a two-year deal with Perth Glory for season three of the A-League.

“The deal with Perth Glory gives me a secure future and allows me to focus on developing my game. Things are really taking off in Perth,” said Topor-Stanley.

Perth Glory have new co-owners in Tony Sage, Brett McKeon and John Spence and the biggest shirt sponsorship deal in the A-League with Chinese company Delong Holdings pumping in $750,000 in a one-year deal.


FAST RISE

Topor-Stanley has risen quickly after a slow start. Like Socceroos Mark Viduka, Brett Emerton, and Vince Grella, Topor-Stanley had a scholarship from the Australian Institute of Sport.

“Once I went to the AIS I became immersed in football.” The 191cm, 85kg defender said.

“They teach you how to be a footballer. You live and breathe football. Coach Steve O’Connor was a great help.”

In 2004 he joined local Canberra club Canberra Deakin and helped them secure the National Youth League title.

Canberra Deakin secretary Matin Radic said, “Nikolai played for us in the National Youth League. He was strong, comfortable on the ball, a fantastic player. Without him we would not have won the league. He was easy going and a great guy.”

“We’ve seen Ned Zelic, Joe Simunic, and Carl Valeri go on to play international football from Canberra Deakin. I hope Nikolai does the same.”

However, when Topor-Stanley graduated from the AIS, the death of the National Soccer League in 2004 meant there was little professional football on offer in Australia.

Topor-Stanley waited for the A-League to start - only to find he wasn’t required. Having already tried out for German side Borussia Munchengladbach he could have gone overseas again, but he joined New South Wales Premier League club Manly United, and waited.

A-League season two saw a long-term injury to Sydney FC’s defender Jacob Timpano and Sydney FC coach Terry Butcher gave Topor-Stanley his chance.

Sydney fans loved his rugged energy.

In a pre-season game in Canberra the call Hyphen was heard from the Cove supporters group and the nickname has stuck.


HECTIC SCHEDULE

The A-League season may be over, but with the Olyroos currently involved in qualification games for the Beijing Olympics and Sydney FC disputing Group E of the Asian Champions League, Topor-Stanley’s schedule is hectic. He’s been to more countries since February than some of us get to in a lifetime.

Topor-Stanley has played in Iran, Chinese Taipei, and Hong Kong with the Olyroos, and China and Indonesia with Sydney FC. By the end of May he will have played in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Japan. Not to mention the Olyroos home games in Adelaide and Sydney FC’s at Aussie Stadium. No surprise then that he’d like a few more days’ rest.

“I’m living the dream really and I love it, although I don’t get much time off,” Topor-Stanley said.

“So much flying, I recently had to fly back from Iran via three connecting flights, pick up a visa and go straight to China. I use my new play station a lot!

“I never take playing and the lifestyle for granted. The guys at Sydney FC all help each other. You learn so much from guys like Steve Corica. I love playing against guys desperate to succeed from all over Asia. I sometimes have to pinch myself.”

His goal is clear.

“Like all Australian footballers I want to make the Socceroos squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.”

With the World Cup still three years away and a two-year contract with Perth Glory secured, Topor-Stanley could be a man in the right place at the right time. There is a dearth of left-sided defenders in Australia football. Scott Chipperfield is 31. Recent Socceroos debutant Shane Stefanutto is playing in the Norwegian League.

Topor-Stanley is aware of his opportunities. Softly spoken, his determination to succeed is high.

“If I can keep fit, learn from each game I have a chance.”

With Australia joining the Asia Football Confederation in 2006 a new path for Australian players has been created. A-League, Olyroos and Asian Champions League now provide a route to International football that few Aussie boys could have imagined just two years ago. For Nikolai Topor-Stanley playing his football in Australia may bring the highest reward.

This article was first published at www.netfa.com

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