Archie Thompson is hoping his call-up to Pim Verbeek’s latest Socceroos squad will be the start of an overdue change of luck when it comes to his international career after a cruel run with injury while playing for Australia over the past year.
The Melbourne Victory striker was named in Verbeek’s 28-man squad on Monday for next Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier against Qatar in Brisbane and with Harry Kewell ruled out through injury he will battle it out with Josh Kennedy, Scott McDonald, Bruce Djite and Brett Holman for an attacking berth in the final line-up.
But Thompson, who turns 30 this month, said on Monday he is just delighted to be back in the national team and hoping his recent run of bad luck is now behind him after he first injured his knee while playing for the Socceroos against China in March before then injuring his ankle while playing for the Olyroos during the Beijing Olympics.
“It has been frustrating but in saying that I am wishing the guys luck every time they play and I am always calling up the guys after the game and saying congratulations,” he said of missing recent Socceroos matches due to injury.
“It is always disappointing when you are not part of it but there are a lot of games now so there was always going to be an opportunity at some stage to be part of the Socceroos again.”
With four games now under his belt following a delayed start to this year’s Hyundai A-League season after his injury at the Olympics, Thompson says he is back to full fitness and ready to reclaim his place in Verbeek’s line-up.
“I am back fit again and looking forward to the challenge,” he said.
“I know what I am capable of and to be back with the squad again after such a long absence from it because of injury is great and hopefully it (being in the squad) will give me more confidence again to bring back to the Melbourne Victory and the Hyundai A-League.”
Thompson’s form since returning from injury has helped propel Victory back to top spot this season and his partnership with Danny Allsopp is again beginning to resemble the potent pairing that steered Melbourne to the 2006/07 championship.
“I feel I am back to 100 percent (fitness) and I feel like I am playing good football again and combining well with Danny and Carlos (Hernandez) and being part of the Socceroos squad again will only boost my confidence.”
