Canberra players weekend wrap

This article first appeared in The Canberra Times

Perth Glory fans have quickly taken to the all action style of former Tuggeranong United junior Nikolai Topor-Stanley. Topor-Stanley has had a busy start to his season but hasn’t seen many goals.

In Qatar in midweek, Topor-Stanley was in the Olyroos side which drew 0-0 with Iraq in a crucial Olympic qualifier. The 0-0 result between the Glory and Newcastle Jets yesterday won’t have given him much joy despite his strong performance.

18 year old Canberran Kaz Patafta made his A-League debut for Melbourne Victory against new team Wellington Phoenix. In front of a record New Zealand soccer crowd of over 14,000, Patafta entered the fray in the 58th minute with his team 1-0 ahead.
When Victory increased its lead in the 60th minute, through a Danny Allsopp goal, Patafta seemed destined for a winning start.

But 2-0 is the most dangerous lead in football and when Brazilian Daniel headed home from a corner for the Nix, it was game on. Shortly after, a Shane Smeltz header deflected in off Canberra’s other Victory debutant Matthew Kemp. It ended 2-2.

Elsewhere, Sydney FC’s Adam Casey and Adelaide United’s former Australian Under 20s Captain Shaun Ontong are recovering from injuries. Both are pushing for selection for next week’s cracker between Sydney FC and Adelaide United at Aussie Stadium.
Casey is keen to start training with newly arrived Brazilian World Cup winner Juninho.

“I can’t wait to train with him, and learn from him, “said Casey.

Local Referee Ben Williams also returned to A-League duty. In a competitive game in Brisbane, the Queensland Roar drew 2-2 with Adelaide United. Williams sent, returning Socceroo and Roar Captain, Craig Moore off on his debut for a second bookable offence midway through the second half.

The Matildas fly out on Saturday for the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup in China. Belnorth junior and Matilda striker Caitlin Munoz scored in front of 52,000 fans last week in Tianjin, China.

On their recent tour, the Matildas beat World ranked number 10 China, 3-2 and 3-1. Munoz’s Canberra mate Sally Shipard was delighted to get another game under her belt as she returns to full fitness after an eleven month injury lay-off.

Indigenous Matilda’s keeper Lydia Williams played the first half in the first of the two game China tour. Williams has a broken wrist. “I’m going to play, I’d play with a broken arm if I had to. It’s the World Cup!”

Williams will have an operation when she returns.

In Germany, former Canberra Deakin player Joe Simunic returned after suspension for Hertha Berlin in the German Bundesliga. His side lost 2-0 to Arminia Bielefeld. Simunic played for Croatia in a passionate friendly with neighbours Bosnia in midweek in Sarajevo. Croatia won 5-3.

Canberra’s Socceroo Carl Valeri started his new season in Italy’s Serie B on Saturday. His Tuscan side Grosseto was thumped 3-0 by Modena in their first ever match in Serie B in what could be a tough season.