Archie Thompson and the word ‘slump’ have no business together according to Mehmet Durakovic, but the Melbourne Victory caretaker coach wants his striker to spearhead his side’s AFC Champions League campaign into the round of 16.
Thompson has scored just once in eight Champions League matches, and has just a solitary strike to his name since returning from a hamstring injury in February.
His battles in front of goal have mirrored that of his side, with the regular attacking third of Danny Allsopp, Carlos Hernandez, Robbie Kruse and Thompson contributing just two goals between them in Victory’s side’s Champions League campaign.
But Durakovic has backed Thompson to work through his dry spell, beginning with Victory’s must-win clash at Jeju United on Wednesday.
Chinese club Tianjin Teda must win their own away clash, at Japanese outfit Gamba Osaka, in order for Victory to progress into the knockout stages.
And Durakovic would love nothing more than a vintage Thompson showing to keep up his club’s end of the bargain.
“Archie has been buzzing. Every game that he’s played, he’s had chances,” Durakovic said.
“Sooner or later it’ll go in the back of the net. That’s strikers for you. Once he scores one, he’ll have another one and another one. Hopefully it’ll be tomorrow night, but Archie’s been brilliant.”
“I can’t really ask from Archie any more, apart from putting the ball in the back of the net.”
Durakovic revealed Kruse would return to the starting line-up despite coming into the game under an injury cloud, with the Fortuna Dusseldorf-destined attacker a straight swap for the suspended Isaka Cernak.
Surat Sukha and Grant Brebner have also travelled with the squad after suspension, taking the place of ill duo Marvin Angulo and Tom Pondeljak.
Pondeljak was expected to make the trip to South Korea, only for him to suffer an allergic reaction to medicine used after a visit to the dentist.
Durakovic said his squad needed no reminding of Kevin Muscat’s retirement. The 51-cap Socceroo will step into a coaching role with the club after bringing a 22-year playing career to an end.
“They know,” Durakovic said.
“They know what Kevin stands for and what he’s done. The motivation was there last week and they came through with flying colours.”
“With a (bit) more luck we would have had a couple more in the back of the net last week, so hopefully we’ll have a bit more luck this week and get the three points.”
Durakovic played down the impact both the collapse of Jeju United striker Shin Young-Rok on Sunday and his own future at the club might have on the Wednesday’s match.
“We just control what we can and go out on the pitch with our team structure and our formation and what we have to do,” he said.
“Their weaknesses and their strengths, we’ll have a team meeting tonight and go over that.”
“We just need the three points and then whatever happens, happens. We only control our destiny.”
