Nikolai Topor-Stanley's Socceroos debut

Can't imagine any other media outlet in Canberra discussing it so here's my thoughts for the record.

Despite a shockingly poor pitch, drenched, and unworthy of International Football, Nikolai Topor-Stanley can be reasonably pleased with his debut in the 0-0 draw for the Socceroos against Singapore.


His team didn't concede any goals against a team ranked to low to mean anything in World Football, and despite having to mark a speedy Chinese born winger, Topor-Stanley had few problems for most of the game.

Topor-Stanley has rose quickly from Manly United in 2005. His A-League scoring debut was at Canberra Stadium for Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets in a 2-1 defeat in the 2006 Pre-Season cup.

A fine season with Sydney, played across Asia in the Asian Champions League and then, due to an incredibly low wage offer from Sydney, he signed for Perth Glory for Season three.

An Olyroo, he'll head to Beijing for the Olympics, and finished last season as Perth Glory's player of the year. He has one more year on his contract, don't be surprised if he heads overseas after that.

He looks a Centre-back. Big, strong, athletic and good ball control. But everyone is playing him left-back.

Is this because of the dearth of left backs in Australia? Probably. But would The Glory do this to assist the National side?

Anyway Topor-Stanley is now a left-back and perhaps this is why he's forced his way into the Socceroos squad.

With Scott Chipperfield on the way out, David Carney having to convert to left-back, next in line, former Tuggeranong United defender Topor-Stanley.

Unlike Chipperfield and Carney, both of whom have spent their careers attacking in forward positions, Topor-Stanley is a defender who is now expected to attack down the flank.

He scores goals, mainly from corners, and does attack with some style. But he doesn't seem to be a natural attacker. Roberto Carlos he's not, or even Ashley Cole.

With Adam Griffiths on the right flank last night the Socceroos had little overlapping wing threat and consequently the team's performance was lacklustre. Sign of the times?

Topor-Stanley had a cracking shot from 35 yards. He went forward minimally particularly in the first half.

He was caught out a couple of times by the pace of the Singaporean winger late on, but he was still alert enough to cover for his team-mates when the ball was flying around the box.

Overall a solid rather than spectacular debut, but he's been rewarded with a trip to Kunming China or the real deal.

Don't expect him to play on Wednesday, but this should be the first of many caps for Nikolai Topor-Stanley.