Postecoglou backs Thompson for Socceroos duty

Updated May 20, 2012 18:07:36

Melbourne Victory coach Ange Postecoglou feels Archie Thompson is ready to play a big part in the Socceroos' final stage of World Cup qualifying.

Thompson and Victory team-mate Harry Kewell were the only A-League representatives in a 26-man squad named by Holger Osieck last week for June's qualifiers against Oman and Japan.

With the Victory's A-League season having ended in March, there were concerns over the pair's match fitness.

But while Kewell is on leave, Postecoglou said Thompson proved his readiness in Saturday night's 4-1 friendly defeat against powerful Greek club Olympiakos at Docklands.

Thompson scored the Victory's sole goal from a penalty he earned himself.

"He looked sharp," Postecoglou said.

"We wanted to keep him out there for 90 minutes and he ran the game out pretty well, he still ran pretty hard at the end.

"When he got in behind them he caused them problems and got his (penalty) and maybe could have had one more, in terms of opportunities.

"He feels pretty good at the end of the game, so should he be required, I'm sure if there were any doubts about his fitness they'd be dispelled."

Thompson's form was a rare highlight for a mostly inexperienced Victory outfit, who were thoroughly outclassed in Postecoglou's first game in charge.

It was the ex-Brisbane mentor's first match since guiding the Roar to their second straight A-League championship in April.

The margin could have been much greater, the visitors narrowly missing several early chances and subbing off a host of internationals in the second half.

But Postecoglou was pleased his side kept trying to play the style he wanted.

He said it would have made more sense to play the game in July, when the Victory's preseason was underway and they had completed their squad.

"The timing of this one's a little bit out of kilter, to be honest," he said.

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, socceroos, melbourne-3000

First posted May 20, 2012 14:56:26

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Osieck defends Kewell, Thompson selection

Updated May 16, 2012 09:29:48

Socceroos coach Holger Osieck has been forced to defend his selection of Harry Kewell and Archie Thompson for next month's friendly against Denmark and following World Cup qualifiers against Oman and Japan, after admitting match fitness was a concern.

The Melbourne Victory team-mates have not played a competitive fixture in almost two months after their A-League campaign ended in the final round of the regular season on March 24.

But while Osieck, who on Tuesday named an extended 26-man squad for the upcoming matches, admitted the duo - the only A-League representatives named - may not make the final cut he was adamant they deserved a shot to prove their fitness.

Osieck said he had a "very intense chat" with former Liverpool star Kewell.

"He is aware of the situation and he knows my point," Osieck said.

"He is training with a personal trainer and I will definitely give him the opportunity to show whether it is good enough or not.

"Looking back at (the final match of the previous stage of World Cup qualification in February against) Saudi Arabia, he had a decent game and whenever he plays for the team, since I've been in charge, he does a job.

"So why should I not give him the opportunity to show that he is in a good state to play?

"Harry still has a lot of potential, we can't argue that."

Osieck said he will be relying on assistant Socceroos coach Aurelio Vidmar to monitor Thompson's performance in Victory's friendly against Greek club Olympiakos on Saturday before deciding if he will make the final team.

"In his last game against Saudi, when he came on, we were 2-1 down and he changed the picture completely," Osieck recalled of Thompson.

"As coach you should never forget what the good players have done and at least give them the opportunity.

"But the fact that these two guys are on the list doesn't really mean that they will be included in the final selection."

Chris Herd is the only new face in the squad with Osieck saying he was delighted to finally have the West Australian, who plays for Aston Villa, fit after he was unavailable for February's fixture against Saudi Arabia due to injury.

Tim Cahill, Brett Holman and Matt McKay are among those who also missed the Saudi Arabia clash through injury or unavailability to be recalled.

Josh Kennedy was included despite being ruled out of his Japanese club Nagoya Grampus' Asian Champions League clash with the Central Coast Mariners on Tuesday night due to a back injury, with Osieck saying he was waiting on a report from his club's medical team to know the extent of the injury.

Sydney FC marquee pair Nicky Carle and Brett Emerton were not named - Carle has been dropped from the last squad, while Emerton is recovering from ankle surgery.

The Socceroos take on Denmark in Copenhagen on June 2 before kicking off their World Cup Asian fourth-round qualifying campaign against Oman in Muscat on June 8 and Japan in Brisbane four days later.

The Socceroos can book a spot in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with a top-two finish in Group B which also includes Iraq and Jordan.

Osieck will reduce the squad to 23 players prior to the qualifier against Oman.

Australia:

Mark Bresciano, Alex Brosque, Tim Cahill, David Carney, Nathan Coe (GK), Adam Federici (GK), Chris Herd, Brett Holman, Mile Jedinak, Joshua Kennedy, Harry Kewell, Neil Kilkenny, Robbie Kruse, Matt McKay, Mark Milligan, Lucas Neill, Jade North, Sasa Ognenovski, Nikita Rukavytsya, Mark Schwarzer (GK), Matt Spiranovic, Archie Thompson, Carl Valeri, Luke Wilkshire, Rhys Williams, Michael Zullo.

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Tags: socceroos, soccer, sport, australia, melbourne-3000, vic

First posted May 16, 2012 09:29:48

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Thompson limps out of Victory training

Updated February 14, 2012 11:10:52

Melbourne Victory star striker Archie Thompson has left a team training session early with hamstring tightness.

Thompson was involved in shooting drills early in Tuesday morning's session, before he limped off.

He touched his right hamstring and talked to a member of the Victory's medical staff for a few minutes, before heading to the changerooms.

Melbourne Victory said on Twitter the injury is not thought to be serious.

It will be a big blow for the Victory if Thompson is unable to take his place for this weekend's clash with Brisbane Roar.

The Victory hit form last weekend with a drought-breaking win over the top-placed Central Coast Mariners.

They are currently eighth on the A-League ladder but just two points outside the top six.

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Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted February 14, 2012 11:07:26

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Thompson in Victory squad but doubts remain

Updated February 16, 2012 18:14:25

Striker Archie Thompson has been included in the Melbourne Victory squad, but an asterisk remains over his participation in the vital clash with Brisbane Roar.

Thompson limped out of training on Tuesday with hamstring tightness.

But he returned to train lightly on Thursday, with coach Jim Magilton set to give the A-League's all-time leading goal scorer as much time as needed before making a decision on whether he will play against the Roar in Brisbane on Saturday night.

"There's still 48 hours to go. He's desperate to play," Magilton said.

"I'll hand it over to the (medical) experts and then, if they feel he's okay to play, then it will be up to me to decide whether he plays."

Thompson has been below-par in front of goal in recent matches, though he starred in the first half of the season.

Victory have also promoted midfielder Billy Celeski to their squad after his recovery from injury.

But Magilton is unlikely to make any unforced changes from the side which beat competition leaders Central Coast last weekend - a win which brought the club back into finals contention.

Magilton has been hellbent on restoring confidence at the club, and says it is vitally important for his side to back up last weekend's performance against the Roar.

"I'd like us to go on a run obviously. We played well last week. We deserved to win the game I feel," Magilton said.

"We've just got to make sure that we are at the same sort of intensity going into this game, recognising that Brisbane is a tough proposition at home.

"I'd like to build that momentum."

The second-placed Roar sent ominous signs with a win over Wellington Phoenix last weekend, giving them wins in successive weeks against the other teams in the top three.

Magilton is mindful of the havoc Brisbane can cause if allowed to maintain possession, or if the Victory give the ball away recklessly.

"Brisbane go into every game believing they can win. They've got a system of play which suits their players and they've been excellent all season," Magilton said.

"Their ball retention is very good ... (but) I believe we've good players and I believe we are starting to get the rewards for everything we do on the training ground.

"Our performance was good and our ball retention was good (last week).

"We are going to have to be that good again, because if we give the ball away we mightn't see it for a while."

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted February 16, 2012 12:35:50

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