Coach Ange Postecoglou says he’s casting a speculative net by summoning an ageing defender from the wilderness and an untried Nigerian-born striker into the Socceroos squad.
Postecoglou named 29-year-old defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley and striker Bernie Ibini-Isei in his 23-man squad for next month’s away fixtures against the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
Topor-Stanley hasn’t featured in the national side since 2008 while Ibini-Isei is uncapped at international level.
Postecoglou says the selection of the A-Leaguers is a calculated gamble to add to Australia’s shallow depth.
“We have to have an open mind because we are starting with a narrow pool,” Postecoglou told reporters in Melbourne on Thursday.
“We have regenerated this team quite a bit in this last 12 months.
“When you look at the number of caps, even players who may be deemed as regulars now, they’re still in single figures some of them. So we have still got a lot of work to do.”
Postecoglou made a host of changes from his squad which played Belgium and Saudi Arabia earlier this month, with the likes of Robbie Kruse, Carl Valeri, Bailey Wright and Ben Halloran excluded.
In their places, he called up a batch including Topor-Stanley, Ibini-Isei, Turkish-based Aziz Behich and 29-year-old goalkeeper Adam Federici in a bid to create depth ahead of the Asian Cup on home soil next January.
“It’s continuing on the theme of trying to broaden our playing pool and expose some players who we believe could play a part in the progress we’re making,” he said.
Topor-Stanley was rewarded for two years of solid form at the Western Sydney Wanderers – and because the 1.91m-tall, 90kg central defender has the brawn to muscle diminutive Asian attackers.
“And looking at our defensive stocks we’re still pretty light on for experience in terms of age,” Postecoglou said.
The speedy and creative 22-year-old Ibini-Isei, who migrated to Australia as a toddler, fitted with “the way we want to play our football”.
“We need to take these two games as an opportunity to blood someone like him and give him a taste of international football,” Postecoglou said.
The Socceroos play the UAE in Abu Dhabi on October 10 and Qatar in Doha on October 14 with Postecoglou demanding stylish progress rather than winning at any cost.
“We haven’t gone into any game not trying to win. But winning ugly is no good either,” he said.
“For us it’s just about progress in the way we want to play and the players’ understanding of that.
“And we’re confident that when that happens the wins will come and we’ll know why we’re winning rather than just notching up victories that make people feel good.”
Leonardo
Roar Guru
Fine line between diving for pearls and turning the selection process into a farce man. But I still give the man the benefit of the selection doubt and that we will do well in the Coppa Del Asia.
The Bear
Guest
He's got a tough yet exciting job in this time of change dear ole Ange. Slowly it seems a team could be taking shape. I wonder if in 2 years time there'll be some semblance of tactical cohesion and attacking fluidity which we all took for granted circa 2006 & 2007. I suspect that post Asian Cup there'll be the full transition. And an end to bit players plugging holes (all respect to them as they are the midwives to the Re-Goldening of the Soccerroos eg Alex Wilkinson). They are definitely Green, though ;)
Griffo
Roar Guru
A wide net is a necessity that we won't see after October when Ange will need to finalise a playing group for the Asian Cup that are familiar with one another. I think one of these games in October should be a real look at the squad post Asian Cup (ie: sans-Timmy, Bresc). Langerak Franjic Wilkinson NTS Smith Brillante Luongo Leckie Troisi Ibini Juric
Dennis
Guest
Fair point Franko but unfortunately Ange has to throw these players in quickly because this is what Holger should have done 2 years ago.
Ian
Guest
Yeah, 29 must be the new 35. There are plenty of defenders in this age bracket in the A-League who are class. Look at Matt Smith and Jade North from Brisbane last year.
The Bear
Guest
Franko, I feel your frustration. Caps will given out to a wide number until we have consistent performers that practically "own" their spot (eg Cahill). And as AZ implies, there'll always be squad turnover, due to age/injuries/form BUT for me I t is the number of "unsettled" positions is highly concerning. Hopefully Friendlies can be a place for consolidation and building match play for the team. Oh to actually have a "team" (again). It's a problem that needs equal measure of experimentation and consistency. It's frustrating because everyone felt the time to do it was 4 years ago. And Verbeek merely made token attempts and Osiek was short term.
Paul
Guest
He's 29. However he has been rock solid for WSW, including the fixture against FC Seoul.
AZ_RBB
Guest
That's what these friendlies should be for. With our defensive injury woes, we need to be giving a larger number of players experience in the green and gold. Simply gives Ange a look at how a few others might play in his system. Rather find out now than in January.
Franko
Guest
I'm still concerned that caps are being handed out too easily.
The Bear
Guest
NTS is in his prime for a defender; the writer should be aware! Initially I was concerned that AP was clutching at straws with some (many?) of his selections. But these two are solid and merited.
adam
Roar Rookie
great article, but I almost stopped reading after the second line. how at all is topor-stanley ageing?