The Socceroos struggled to create big chances from open play against Palestine but could yet again count on Harry Souttar at set pieces.
In the space of just 21 games, central defender Harry Souttar has become arguably the Socceroos’ most reliable route to goal.
Along with his work marshalling Australia’s defence, Souttar rising over defenders at set pieces to score a header has now become a familiar sight.
The towering 25-year-old notched his 10th international goal by scoring the winner in Australia’s 1-0 victory over Palestine, meeting a wicked Craig Goodwin corner with a thumping header in the 18th minute.
“A great feeling to be on the score sheet again, I never take it for granted,” Souttar told Network 10.
“Scoring for your country is something really special and it’s just getting sweeter and sweeter obviously.”
Against a well-organised and fierce-pressing Palestine, the Socceroos struggled to string passes together or create genuine chances from open play.
But their strengths at set pieces proved enough to seal three points at the Jaber Al-Ahmed International Stadium in Kuwait.
The presence of Souttar, a tick over 200cm tall, combined with the likes of fellow aerial threats Jackson Irvine and Mitch Duke, makes Australia consistently dangerous.
“Set pieces are crucial, especially when you’ve got someone of Harry Souttar’s size, height,” coach Graham Arnold told Network 10.
“Then the delivery’s important and Craig Goodwin’s delivery on that corner was fantastic.”
Australia’s second-best chance arrived when Palestine’s defenders were so preoccupied with manning Souttar, youngster Jordy Bos was able to ghost in unmarked and clatter a header off the bar.
“With not a lot of training sessions, a lot of it is tactical and we know one of our main strengths is set pieces,” Souttar said.
“Now sometimes obviously I can be used as a bit of a decoy if I’ve got two or three men on me.
“We’ve got Dukey, Jacko, Cam Burgess, Kye (Rowles), great headers of the ball, so sometimes I’ve just got to go away and take men away and hopefully they can come in the back – we had a couple of chances tonight.
“Listen, we’ll score when we can, especially away from home.
“Set pieces are so important and it’s something that we as a group feel every time we get an attacking free kick or a corner that we can at least get a shot on target and then try to hopefully get a goal.”
