Western Sydney Wanderers defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley has won a recall to the Socceroos squad for the first time in six years.
Topor-Stanley and Sydney FC recruit Bernie Ibini-Isei are in a 23-man Socceroos squad for internationals next month against the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
The squad, announced by coach Ange Postecoglou in Melbourne on Thursday, contains a host of changes from friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Belgium earlier this month.
Exclusions include Robbie Kruse, Carl Valeri, Bailey Wright and Ben Halloran as Postecoglou continues to cast his eye wide ahead of the Asian Cup on home soil in January.
Players summoned include Topor-Stanley, whose two appearances in the national outfit came in 2008, and ex-Brisbane Roar defender Ivan Franjic, who is now based in Russia and has overcome a hamstring injury which curtailed his World Cup in Brazil.
“We are still giving players we’ve identified for the National team an opportunity to experience international football to ensure we create a deeper pool of players to call on for the Asian Cup and beyond,” Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou said.
“These two games give us a few more to throw into the mix with an experienced core group of players to see how they cope with the training intensity and the demands of international football before we start monitoring them all leading into the Japan match.
“We will be in a position to select a settled squad for the Japan match in November, which will offer a strong in
Australia will play the UAE in the UAE on October 10 and Qatar in Qatar on October 14.”
Postecoglou added that while he was conscious of the A-League season, he still wanted to pick those that warranted selection, despite any disruption to the domestic league.
“We were mindful that the matches coincide with the first weekend of the A-League and we tried to not be too disruptive but ultimately this is our National team and everyone agrees this is the highest honour in the game and we will always pick players deserving of that honour,” Postecoglou said.
Socceroos Squad:
Aziz Behich, Mark Bresciano, Josh Brilliante, Tim Cahill, Jason Davidson, Adam Federici, Ivan Franjic, Chris Herd, James Holland, Bernie Ibini-Isei, Mile Jedinak, Tomi Juric, Mitch Langerak, Matthew Leckie, Massimo Luongo, Mark Milligan, Tommy Oar, Mat Ryan, Trent Sainsbury, Brad Smith, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, James Troisi, Alex Wilkinson.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
I have to admit I also like the Berni Abini call up. The kid is developing into a very good footballer. It was a very mature game I was witnessing against Sydney United. He held the ball up well, he laid it off well, he was making sound decisions with the ball, he was fast, powerful and willing to take men on in the 1 vs 1 and he has a decent shot on him. I think he will go well this season and will cause defenders no end of problems. I would expect Berni to get somewhere between 8-12 goals this season which would be a pretty good effort.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
IMHO, NTP has come along in leaps and bounds in the last few years and deserves his selection. Really solid defending and pretty cool under pressure. As for Ibini, the kid looked so self assured on Tuesday night, was really a standout player. He has the capability of being a game changer on the day - if he scored goals he'd be a super player.
Squizz
Guest
NTS is a good CB when he has a good partner that tell him what to do. Think Ljubo at the Jets and Spira and Megsy at WSW. Definitely not in my top 10 as an individual player but can do the job with the right partner.
Realfootball
Guest
I think there was also a perception that he was a crude hoof it upfield CB. He passes the ball a lot more now.
Realfootball
Guest
He was, and we all saw it on live television. I bet he's wishing he hadn't pulled his shirt on in front of the cameras. But it must be more than that, because he's fit now. Can only have been something to do with attitude.
Sm6
Guest
NTS has flourished at WSW due to the system employed by Poppa.NTS has played at WSW with two defensive midfielder screening the midfield infront of the centre backs.If NTS was to be put in a system that was more open in the midfield I believe some of the weaknesses in his game would become more apparent.That's why I believe previous NT coaches have been reluctant to call him up.
langou
Roar Guru
Sauce bottles will travelling, as will the band that plays behind the goals at CCM, nothing like a bit of slow loungey jazz to help fire up the boys
Mato-Bateman
Guest
I read somewhere that Kruse's club didn't allow him to play in those international friendlies. .
AZ_RBB
Guest
Will hopefully push them to play even better. Lets not forget Brandan Hamill is also knocking on the door after good showings in the ACL. Golec and Mullen are also capable of playing CB. They can't afford any slip in form.
Midfielder
Guest
Agree
Midfielder
Guest
Be interesting times at the Drive Bys with Spanner & NTS both wanting a Socceroo spot ...
JAJI
Guest
Feyenoord hey you're right! News now Rogic is gone for the Asian Cup -what a shame his career is at the cross roads - needs advice from Harry Kewell on the mental side of things
Fadida
Guest
He was fat
gwagh
Guest
Yep, congrats to Ali, it is certainly going to make SFCs A league opener much more difficult though with Bernie, Abbas and Janko all out playing internationals, especially if the FFA cup quarter final ends up being on tuesday the 14th. I just hope they (Topor-Stanley and Juric included) are back and fit for the 18th ;)
ciudadmarron
Guest
he was dropped because he was unfit and refused to tow the line.
adam
Roar Rookie
Wilkshire plays for feyenoord but its the same thing. a big team in a big league and he is getting lot of assists,i still don't know why he was dropped
pete
Guest
Wilkshire plays for Feyenoord, but your point is still more than valid
JAJI
Guest
Behich came back to the A League then went back to Turkey and now starts every game - so good on him Interesting the game being played with Luke Wilkshire. Obviously fell out with him in the camp in Brazil. However Luke plays every minute at PSV which is a club arguably better than most if not all clubs the players in the squad play for (who actually play for their clubs)
AZ_RBB
Guest
Well done to Ali Abbas as well who has been called up to the Iraq NT. A proud moment for him and the Iraqi community. Aside from the odd run in with opposition players, I though Abbas was one of SFC's best last season.
gwagh
Guest
Agreed, he looked just as good in the friendly against Wellington.