"I think we can play a lot better": Souttar set-piece brilliance decides difficult clash in Kuwait

Chandler Milligan 1700633722,1700634971

Cometh the hour cometh the man. Leicester City’s Harry Souttar made the difference with his tenth Subway Socceroos goal to secure a crucial 1-0 victory that continues our perfect start to FIFA World Cup 2026™ qualifying.

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Australia put in the grunt work to grind out the tough 1-0 victory over a determined Palestine side on Wednesday morning (AEDT), with Souttar stealing the headlines with yet another thumping header and resolute display.

The Scottish-born Socceroo thundered home his tenth Socceroos goal in 21 games, launching onto a precise Craig Goodwin corner to break a tight deadlock in the 18th minute. 

In addition to his decisive set-piece authority, Souttar was a brick wall ahead of Captain Matt Ryan, putting in a strong MOTM display at both ends of the pitch to ensure we left Kuwait with all three points.

 

Graham Arnold’s men were put under defensive pressure throughout the game, with Souttar playing a critical role in preventing Palestine from capitalising on any opportunities. 

Souttar won 100% of his tackles, making five clearances and five recoveries, while winning 88% of his aerial duels in a composed display.

The centre-back elaborated on the quality of his side's performance against Palestine, calling it a great lesson about the competition when playing away in Asia.

“I don't think we were best pleased with our performance,” he said.

“I think we can play a lot, lot better, but it's a great lesson for us as a team and a couple of the new guys coming into the squad about playing the games away in Asia.

“It's very different to the home games. If you want to go through and qualify, these are the games you’ve got to win.

“We stood up to the task, and at the end of the day, we won the game, but we know as a group and a squad, we can play a whole lot better.”

With Palestine mounting a strong offensive against Australia, the deadlock looked unlikely to be broken until Souttar rose to meet an inswinging Craig Goodwin cross.

“Yeah, great feeling to be on the score sheet again. I never take it for granted; scoring for your country is something really special, and it's just getting sweeter and sweeter, obviously,” he said.

“I’m just so happy to be back on the grass and playing, just getting that hunger and winning feeling back… there’s nothing like it.”

 

Souttar also discussed his side's strong form on set-pieces and the tactical approach taken to create the best opportunities in the opposition's box.

“We know one of our main strengths is set-pieces right now,” he said.

“Sometimes, obviously, I can be used as a bit of a decoy if they're gonna put two or three men on me.

“We'll score when we can, especially away from home. Set-pieces are so important, and it's something that we as a group can feel every time we get an attacking free-kick or a corner that we can at least get a shot on target and try to hopefully get a goal.”

 

The victory over Palestine solidifies a great week of football for the Socceroos, who have secured two crucial victories and two clean sheets to start their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Wednesday night’s win represents the final Socceroos game of 2023, with the Men’s National Team returning in January to commence their Asian Cup campaign in Qatar.