Thompson came off the bench to seal the three points and gave a fiery post-match interview defending the veteran Green and Gold brigade.

And today on Twitter the Melbourne Victory striker stuck to the mantra that you’re only as old as you feel.

Referring to a newspaper column about his birthday he tweeted: “They could of changed the 34 to 21 because that's how old I feel.”

It echoed comments he made to au.fourfourtwo.com last month: “I feel very confident and the fittest and sharpest I’ve been in a long time. I feel as sharp as I did when I was 21.”

Thompson’s birthday sparked plenty of well wishes from his football peers. Melbourne Heart skipper Fred tweeted; “Happy b-day to @10Archie God bless u bro.”

And this helpful reminder from fellow Socceroo and Consadole Sapporo defender Jade North: “You'll be able to play over 35s next yr!!”

After a six-year drought in front of goal for the national team, Thompson is now three from three and lashed out at those who suggested the Socceroo veterans make a dignified exit.

"Who keeps telling me I'm old?,” he asked after helping to rescue Australia’s World Cup dream in Doha. “Who keeps telling me I shouldn't be in the Socceroos?

"Who keeps telling us boys shouldn't be part of the Socceroos? That's what it is, it's team spirit and fighting spirit.

"Maybe we've been lacking a little bit in the last game but hopefully this will shut a few mouths."

Thompson has yet to replicate the same form for Melbourne Victory but the club’s skipper, Adrian Leijer, has backed the striker to make his mark in this season.

The sudden retirement of Danny Allsopp means 26-year-old Leijer and Thompson are the club’s sole remaining foundation members.

Leijer said he liked to think he’d outlast his team-mate but admits there’s plenty of fire left in the belly of the fans favourite.

“Archie hasn’t lost that sharpness, that’s the thing – he’s just got that body type,” the Victory skipper said. “I think he’ll keep on going for a few years yet.

“He’s a fantastic player and hopefully he plays here for as long as he can.”