Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek has admitted to being a 'bit rude' when labelling striker Archie Thompson as hopeless. The Dutchman commented about Thompson last week, saying he and fellow Melbourne Victory goal scorer Danny Allsopp performed hopelessly last month against Indonesia.
Verbeek admits his words were rude.
"It was a little bit rude, I agree," Verbeek said.
"But I don't speak like this to 17, 18-year-old players who you have to be careful with. I speak like this with professional players.
"So it's not that I just say things like that. I think I have enough motivations and reasons to say things like that because you look at the game and you see I'm right.
Asked how Thompson had taken the criticism, Verbeek replied: "You will see tomorrow.
"It's not personal, I'm speaking about a professional football player who's playing for the Socceroos and has to show himself.
"I was very pleased with most of the selection (in Indonesia), except those two. That's what I said."