Solsky keeps a clean sheet in fine A-League debut

A tap on the shoulder from the goalkeeping coach before last Saturday’s final pre-game training session was how Daniel Solsky learned a childhood dream was about to come true.

The 23-year-old goalkeeper made his A-League Men’s debut in Perth Glory’s 4-0 round three win over Adelaide United at Perth’s HBF Park the next afternoon – the club’s first victory of the season – and walked off with a clean sheet.

Solsky – signed from the Wollongong Wolves by Perth in July after an outstanding NSW NPL season – had not expected that call-up already.

He had started in Glory’s last three pre-season games, only to suffer back spasms leading up to Perth’s season opener against Macarthur.

Then keeper Matt Sutton, 26, was selected for rounds one and two, and played quite well.

“So, I was pretty shocked, as I had just gone to that training session like normal, but I just felt so excited [to debut], and I felt ready, to be honest, as I was training quite well,” Solsky told The AJN on Monday.

“It was a relief too, because when you get injured as a goalkeeper, you don’t know when your next opportunity is going to be.”

Rather than dwell on any nerves, Solsky made a pledge.

“I just wanted to make a promise to myself that I would have no regrets on the day – I just wanted to be there, be present, and enjoy it.

“It’s something I’d dreamed of since I was a kid. There’s always nerves, but I really trusted in the work I’d put in.”

The noise from the Glory faithful in the grandstand known as “The Shed” did the rest.

“I just couldn’t stop smiling… I thought of how proud the younger Daniel would have been to have made this big step.”

He was called into action in the third minute, cleanly gathering a straight but powerful long-range shot.

“It was a regulation save, but just getting that first one done was important.”

Later in the game, when Perth were leading 4-0, he blocked Ajak Riak’s close-range header to maintain the clean sheet, yet Solsky was quick to deflect praise to Glory’s back four.

“I can’t give enough credit to the boys in front of me… they were superb with how they defended.

“We can take pride in that [not conceding a goal], as it can become a mentality.”

Entering the A-League stage was no overnight success for Solsky.

Describing himself as a “late developer”, the now towering 1.91 metre tall Solsky said he was never usually picked in the selective football teams – “not even the school ones”.

But what he did have was an incredible work ethic, and a genuine love of football. “I had a passion for the game, and loved putting in the work.”

Time in Sydney FC’s training environment, and a stint with Spain’s Marbella FC at 18 after he completed school at Moriah College, preceded 44 appearances and 12 clean sheets for the Wollongong Wolves, and multiple inclusions this year in NPL NSW’s Men’s Team of the Round lists.

He credits several coaches for being crucial to his development, and while acknowledging there are no guarantees in football or in life, believes “that if you are consistent at something, and you work hard for long enough, and persist with the ups and downs, that’s the challenge that will ultimately give yourself the best possible chance of getting the reward”.

Solsky, who has wonderful memories of playing junior football for Maccabi-Hakoah, state youth league football for Hakoah, and futsal for Eastern Suburbs Hakoah, said those childhood years were “the root of it all.

“At Maccabi and Hakoah, I played with my best mates for 10 to 12 years, and that’s probably where that love of football came from.”

And since last Sunday, he said he has been “overwhelmed with messages” from home.

“It’s been amazing – you really feel it – that you’re walking out there with a whole community.

“It means everything to me.

“And without those years growing up… there’s no doubt I wouldn’t be here today.”