AUSTRALIA has notched up another World Record, and striker ARCHIE THOMPSON has become the player with the highest goal tally in a single International match, after the LG Socceroos demolished American Samoa 31-0 in Oceania Group 1 World Cup Qualifiers at Coffs Harbour tonight.
Thompson netted more than a third of the tally with thirteen goals, eclipsing the former record of 10 goals in an international game, however his first hat-trick, which took 15 minutes to notch up, was not the fastest ever recorded.
The LG Socceroos took ten minutes to get the scoring underway, but when they did, the goals rained down on the American Samoans.
Con Boutsianis opened the deluge in the 10th minute, and was followed by Thompson with his first in the 12th, striker partner David Zdrilic with his first of eight in the 13th, and Aurelio Vidmar with his first in the 14th minute.
Defender Tony Popovic chipped in with two before Zdrilic and Thompson took over to score 10 goals between them, leading Australia to a 16-0 scoreline at the half-time break.
Boutsianis again opened the scoreline in the second period, in the 50th minute, followed by Simon Colosimo with his first a minute later, and defender Fausto de Amicis capping off the South Melbourne-connection treble, with his only goal of the night in the 55th minute.
Thompson and Zdrilic again took over, scoring six goals between them in 22 minutes, with Thompson's 11th goal creating two new world records, giving Australia a 23-0 lead at the 65 minute mark, and eclipsing the mark set by the LG Socceroos on Monday night against Tonga.
The rout continued with Aurelio Vidmar, Colosimo and Boutsianis each chipping in again, Boutsianis' goal in the 84th minute recording his first hat-trick for Australia, before the strike partnership finished things up with goals in the 85th, 88th and 89th minutes.
"It's a result and really, that's all that matters, we now move onto Fiji, and as I said prior to the tournament, the aim was to win all four games, so it's a result," said coach Frank Farina after the match.
"I was pleased again with the professional attitude of the players, the way they went about it was in a very professional manner, and that, from my point, is the most pleasing aspect of the whole night.
"As I've said in the past, we go out and play pretty much every game in the same manner, we concentrate on what our strengths are and what we want to do on the park and we did that again tonight, and we did it well - the plan for us when we go into a game is always pretty much the same, we don't look too much at what other teams are doing, we try and make sure what we do, we do well, and it's been working quite well for us." Farina concluded.
"It's obviously great scoring goals, and being part of a world record is an honour," said Archie Thompson after the game.
"At halftime I was told about the record, but as Frank said, we're out there to do a job, and Im just happy to score goals, against any opposition." Thompson concluded.