Archie Thompson
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Age: 29
Position: Midfield
Country: Germany
Caps: 63
Goals: 30
Club: Chelsea
Previous clubs: Chemnitzer, Kaiserslautern, Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich
In his own words: It's all or nothing, but that's what we've been expecting all along. |  |
Thursday, 18, May 2006 12:09
Age: 27
Position: Forward
Country: Australia
Caps: 17
Goals: 21
Club: Melbourne Victory
Previous clubs: PSV Eindhoven, (loan), Morwell Falcons, Carlton Marconi Stallions, Lierse SK
Chelsea target value: forget it after Mark Bosnich, the last Aussie to grace Stamford Bridge, exited in such a storm
His own words: Getting the opportunity to play under the current national coach at PSV and prepare for the World Cup was an unbelievable opportunity.
While he may not be as well known as Ronaldinho, Rooney or Raul, Socceroos striker Archie Thompson can lay claim to a unique world record. In a qualification game against the Solomon Islands in 2002, the diminutive PSV Eindhoven striker managed to score a world record 13 times!
The 27-year-old Aussie striker began his professional career in Australia with the Morwell Falcons before moving to the National Soccer League first with Carlton and then Marconi Stallions. He made the transition to European football in 200l, linking with Lierse SK in the Belgian First Division. In his four seasons with the club he played 90 games and scored 27 goals.
Returning to Australia in 2005 for family reasons he quickly established himself as the one of the best players in the A-League netting eight times in 14 appearances for the Melbourne Victory. Following two eye-catching performances for the Socceroos in their qualifiers against Uruguay, Thompson returned to Europe where he linked with Australian coach Guus Hiddink at PSV Eindhoven.
With only two appearances to his name he has so far failed to make an impact but he is still expected to hold down the right spot in a three-pronged attack in Germany where his blistering pace and canny goal sense are certain to electrify the crowds.
Liam Ferney.