After Western United got back on the pitch in a friendly against Adelaide United, centre-back Nikolai Topor-Stanley said the side is eager to return to Isuzu UTE A-League Men action.
READ MORE: Friendly Match Report: Western United 3-3 Adelaide United
The Green and Black played out an energetic 3-3 draw against Adelaide on Tuesday, and Topor-Stanley said everyone was relishing match action again.
“It was good to get some match minutes against A-League opposition and see where we’re at. Plenty of goals, probably too many from us conceding wise but we’ll learn from this and take it into the next couple of weeks,” he said.
John Aloisi’s men went into the FIFA World Cup break in the perfect fashion, securing a stunning late win over Wellington Phoenix having come back from 2-0 down to win 3-2.
While that result undoubtedly provided a lift in confidence after a difficult beginning to the season, Topor-Stanley said the belief within the squad has never been in question.
“Obviously the results haven’t been what we wanted or expected, but this is sport and we have to ride that as a group, which I think we’ve done,” he said.
“It’s encapsulated in the comeback in Wellington, it’s never an easy an easy game to go for, and 2-0 down it’d be easy to think ‘here we go again’ but the boys stood tall and got the result.”
Topor-Stanley wasn’t involved in that trip to Wellington as he served a suspension, but the No.44 will be ready to return against Perth Glory and said he has used the time to get as fit as possible and ready to contribute.
That trip to Western Australia comes on December 10 and means United’s next home game will come on December 18, some 42 days after the previous home fixture.
Topor-Stanley said the team will be itching to get back in front of the Green and Black faithful and aim to deliver a good performance for the fans.
“That’s what you play the game for, you want to test yourself against great players at home, feel that energy and hopefully put on a show for them and get three points,” he said.
Looking ahead to the remainder of the season, Topor-Stanley believes the work being put in will hold the team in good stead to carry on the momentum and push forward.
“The confidence has never waned. The players in this group and the coaching staff have always kept a level head,” he said.
“We know we’ve got the quality, the experience and the youth. Come game time we need to put that together into a great performance, and that should lead to wins more often than not. We’ll continue on this path and continue to build.”
United’s is ready to return to action with three huge home games in December, including a blockbuster Boxing Day battle against Melbourne Victory.
Tickets are on sale for each game now, gear up for a summer of football and enjoy the festive period with Western United in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
