Thompson Sends Lierse Through To Cup Semi's

Melbourne Victory-bound Archie Thompson put the disappointment of not being selected in the Qantas Socceroo squad for the two matches in Australia later this month, by firing in the goals that have sent Lierse through to the semi finals of the Belgian Cup.

Melbourne Victory-bound Archie Thompson (pictured right) put the disappointment of not being selected in the Qantas Socceroo squad for the two matches in Australia later this month, by firing in the goals that have sent Lierse through to the semi finals of the Belgian Cup.

Thompson-s two goals saw Lierse win the second leg tie 2-0 that drew the tie level 3-3 on aggregate, with Lierse going through courtesy of an away goal in the first leg.

He opened the scoring in the 28th minute and doubled the lead five minutes after the break, which sealed the result for his team. The goals took his season tally to 10 and in the hunt to be leading Aussies Abroad goalscorer.

In Switzerland, Qantas Socceroo Scott Chipperfield returned from suspension to open the scoring for FC Basel, as they won 4-3 against Schaffhausen and maintain their lead at the top of the table.

Meanwhile, Qantas Socceroo pair of Lucas Neill and Brett Emerton have dealt a blow to Liverpool-s hopes of securing fourth spot, by holding them to a dour 0-0 draw at Anfield.

Liverpool, with Qantas Socceroo Harry Kewell absent through injury, is now eight points adrift of Tim Cahill-s Everton, with the arch rivals due to meet each other on Sunday night. Any result for Everton will almost ensure they finish in fourth spot, unless they have a monumental disaster in the finals weeks of the competition.