Archie Thompson has underlined the importance of a strong Qantas Socceroo showing against Lebanon in Thursday’s friendly in Beirut.
Archie Thompson has underlined the importance of a strong Qantas Socceroo showing against Lebanon in Thursday-s friendly in Beirut.
Thompson was among the first Qantas Socceroos to arrive in the Lebanese capital ahead of Thursday-s showdown, which is of critical importance in respect to Australia-s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Jordan five days later.
Capped by his country 38 times, Thompson made his most recent Qantas Socceroos appearance in Edinburgh last month, where Australia slumped to a disappointing 3-1 loss to Scotland.
However, that result has quickly been forgotten by Thompson and his teammates, who are now solely focused on achieving positive results in the Middle East.
“Scotland was disappointing for us, but those sort of games aren-t as important as what these games are,” Thompson said.
“Leading into Jordan we want a good performance against Lebanon and these are the conditions that we-re going to be playing in.
“What a good starting point this Thursday against Lebanon to then carry on to Jordan.”
The Qantas Socceroos face Lebanon in an international friendly at Saida Municipal Stadium, Saida, at 8.30pm local time (3.30am AEST, Friday, 7 September).
Following that, the Qantas Socceroos resume their FIFA World Cup qualification campaign against Jordan in Amman, at 7pm on Tuesday, 11 September (2am AEST, Wednesday, 12 September).
The Qantas Socceroos return to Australia in 2013, for the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Oman at Sydney-s Stadium Australia at 7.30pm, Tuesday, 26 March, followed by Iraq, at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 18 June.
Tickets for both matches at Stadium Australia are on sale now through Ticketek or via phone, 132 849.