Archie Thompson’s previous claim to fame was that he set the world record for goals scored in an international match . Australia played American Samoa in Coffs Harbour in a qualifier for the 2002 World Cup and won that game by 31 goals to zero.(the score was originally reported as 32-0 as the scorekeepers lost count). Thompson scored 13 of the Australian goals.
The qualifying system was subsequently changed for the 2006 qualification campaign so that such a mismatch did not occur again.
Thompson has got his name into the record books again by scoring 5 goals out of 6 in a very one sided Australian A league final between Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United.Three of the goals can be seen here.
Needless to say Archie’s european prospects are looking up…