Archie’s 135-year revelation: Another player scored 13 goals in one game!
Nineteen years ago on Saturday, Archie Thompson scored 13 of his 28 international goals – the record for the most goals ever scored by an individual in a senior professional match, or so he thought.
On April 11 2001, the Socceroos beat American Samoa 31-0 in a World Cup qualifier to set the record for the biggest professional international win.
But it was the efforts of Thompson that stole many of the headlines in a game where even he didn’t know how many he scored.
“I didn’t actually know that I’d scored 13 goals during the game,” he told Simon Hill in a Live Facebook Premiere, scheduled for 5pm AEST on Saturday.
“I thought David Zdrilic scored more than I did.”
While Zdrilic only netted a mere eight goals it was another statistic that took Thompson most by surprise.
That was John Petrie’s 13-goal effort in Arbroath’s 36-0 win over Bon Accord in the 1885 Scottish Cup.
Petrie’s side Arbroath were founded seven years earlier in 1878 but were vastly more experienced than Bon Accord who were only a year old.
Some sources claim Bon Accord were actually Orion Cricket Club, who had received the entry confirmation from the Scottish FA instead of Orion FC.
Nevertheless this meant Thompson’s 13 goals only equalled the world record for most goals scored in a senior game.
However, Thompson pointed out, "There’s only one person that’s scored 13 goals in an international match and that’s me.”
One of the unwritten stories of this game is perhaps Thompson’s exclusion from the starting eleven of Australia’s next match.
But Thompson also pointed out Australia’s rotation policy at the time, with four internationals played in the space of eight days.
“The game two days before (American Samoa) we beat Tonga 22-0," he said.
“Damian Mori and John Aloisi scored ten between them and they were still dropped”.
It didn't take Thompson long to overcome being benched with fond memories of what was an extraordinary day in Coffs Harbour.
“It was an experience that I’ll never forget and something I hold close to my heart.”
Thompson and Hill's discussion uncovered several untold stories, and an additional six facts that were uncovered are listed below...
1) American Samoa had 19 players unavailable.
Due to a recent FIFA ruling coming into place just days prior, all players were required to hold American Samoan nationalities. With several players only holding US Citizenship, the only player from their usual squad that played was goalkeeper Nicky Salapu.
2) Their second eleven weren’t even able to help.
You’d think a World Cup qualifier might be a decent excuse to skip school but the Under-20s side unfortunately couldn’t play because of exams.
3) Some of the American Samoan players had apparently never even played a 90-minute game of football.
Mastermind technician and American Samoan manager Tony Langkilde said some of the players struggled because they weren’t used to playing for the full duration of a game.
Listen to the first FFA Podcast with Graham Arnold, former Socceroo Mark Bosnich, Westfield Matildas great Julie Murray, and current Westfield Matilda Chloe Logarzo in the player below!
4) Three of the American Samoan players were were 15 and the average age of the starting team was 18.
When Ajax played Manchester United in the 2017 Europa League Final the average age of the team was 22. The Dutch side performed gallantly, creating chances but ultimately went down 2-0. American Samoa unfortunately only registered one shot on goal, an 86th minute strike from Pati Feagiai. Unfortunately, his side leaked a few more goals then Ajax. 29 to be exact.
5) Some of the players didn’t even own boots.Turning out against players representing elite European clubs might be a calling to wear the appropriate footwear. American Samoa’s players certainly weren’t the ones at fault for this and the FFA recognised it, providing them with some of their own boots.
6) American Samoa’s keeper is still playing football
Nicky Salapu didn’t let the fact that he had to pick the ball out of his net 31 times in the match. In fact, he’s determined to avenge that particular score line with the 39-year-old still rolling out for his national side and played in a World Cup qualifier in 2019.
To watch each live video on Saturday, click on the relevant link below:
- 5pm AEST - Socceroos Facebook: Thompson & Hill relive Socceroos’ world record win v American Samoa
- 6pm AEST - Westfield Matildas Facebook: Full match replay v Netherlands in 2017 at Algarve Cup
- 7 :30pm AEST - FFA Cup Facebook: FFA Cup Final 2016 full match replay - Melbourne City FC v Sydney FC
