NIKOLAI Topor-Stanley hopes his left foot could be the key to Australia's starting line-up for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia.
Picked in Pim Verbeek's exclusively Hyundai A-League-based Socceroos' squad, Topor-Stanley is facing some stiff competition for a defensive role from the likes of Queensland's Craig Moore, Melbourne's Rody Vargas, Adelaide pair Scott Jamieson and Robert Cornthwaite and Sydney's emerging youngster Shannon Cole.
With the experienced Moore all-but a certainty to occupy one of the centre back berths, the Perth Glory defender is hopeful that being the only natural left-footer in the side will benefit his selection chances.
"It's a good feeling to get called back in to the squad," Topor-Stanley said on Wednesday.
"Hopefully I've just got to get over there and hopefully get a gig on the park."
"In the previous Socceroos' games I've been used as a left back but as I've been playing centre back more recently, who knows."
"It's up to Pim, so I've just got to get my head down and do my best and hopefully being the only natural left-footer there, I'll get in through that."
Topor-Stanley said the Indonesia clash was a great chance for Hyundai A-League players to get their foot in the door for Australia's upcoming World Cup qualifiers this year after an almost exclusively international squad has played for the Socceroos in that campaign so far.
"It's good for the Hyundai A-league boys to get a call up for the international gigs and it can only help the standard to have that kind of exposure," Topor-Stanley said.
"It's good to get the chance to really stake the claim and get in the mind of Pim, but I guess it's just an opportunity for us to play on the international stage and prove to him in the end that we're up to the challenge."
Topor-Stanley gets a chance to get one over Moore in this Saturday's clash between Glory and Queensland at Suncorp Stadium, with Roar having the opportunity to claim this season's Premiership if they defeat Perth and other results go their way.
Topor-Stanley will then fly to Jakarta on Sunday for the Socceroos' training camp ahead of playing Indonesia in their Group B clash on Wednesday January 28.
With the experienced Moore all-but a certainty to occupy one of the centre back berths, the Perth Glory defender is hopeful that being the only natural left-footer in the side will benefit his selection chances.
"It's a good feeling to get called back in to the squad," Topor-Stanley said on Wednesday.
"Hopefully I've just got to get over there and hopefully get a gig on the park."
"In the previous Socceroos' games I've been used as a left back but as I've been playing centre back more recently, who knows."
"It's up to Pim, so I've just got to get my head down and do my best and hopefully being the only natural left-footer there, I'll get in through that."
Topor-Stanley said the Indonesia clash was a great chance for Hyundai A-League players to get their foot in the door for Australia's upcoming World Cup qualifiers this year after an almost exclusively international squad has played for the Socceroos in that campaign so far.
"It's good for the Hyundai A-league boys to get a call up for the international gigs and it can only help the standard to have that kind of exposure," Topor-Stanley said.
"It's good to get the chance to really stake the claim and get in the mind of Pim, but I guess it's just an opportunity for us to play on the international stage and prove to him in the end that we're up to the challenge."
Topor-Stanley gets a chance to get one over Moore in this Saturday's clash between Glory and Queensland at Suncorp Stadium, with Roar having the opportunity to claim this season's Premiership if they defeat Perth and other results go their way.
Topor-Stanley will then fly to Jakarta on Sunday for the Socceroos' training camp ahead of playing Indonesia in their Group B clash on Wednesday January 28.
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