Archie Thompson’s Socceroo World Cup Dream Shattered By Injury

Melbourne Victory striker and World Cup 2010 hopeful Archie Thompson has been ruled out of action for the remainder of the year with a knee injury.

The 31 year-old striker ruptured the anteior cruciate and medial ligaments in his left knee during the opening stages of the A-League Grand Final on Saturday evening, with an MRI scan confirming he will be sidelined for months.

Despite not being a regular part of Pim Verbeek’s Australia squads during his tenure, the in-form forward was part of the traveling party to Germany 2006 and was widely considered a good chance of going to South Africa.

Now his focus will turn to returning next season, where he has vowed to come back “bigger and stronger”.

“I’m so disappointed,” Thompson said. “[The Grand Final] was such a big game for the club and the supporters and this year was going to be such a big year with the AFC Champions League and World Cup to come.

“But I’m going to come back bigger and stronger. What doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger.”