- Socceroos take on Palestine in a crucial World Cup qualifier
- Moved to Kuwait due to ongoing violence in the West Bank
- Kick-off is scheduled for 1am Wednesday, AEDT
The Socceroos are determined to stay focused when they face Palestine in their away World Cup qualifier.
Graham Arnold’s charges take on Palestine in Kuwait on Tuesday night local time (1am, Wednesday AEDT), determined to maintain the perfect start to their campaign.
The clash at the Jaber Al-Ahmed International Stadium was originally scheduled to be held in the West Bank, but it had to be moved due to the escalation of violence in the region.
The Socceroos have announced they will donate a portion of their match fees towards Oxfam’s humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
Kuwait was chosen by Palestine as the venue for the relocated ‘home’ fixture and the crowd is expected to be significantly pro-Palestine.
The Socceroos are determined to stay focused when they face Palestine in their upcoming World Cup qualifier (pictured right, defender Harry Souttar)
The towering centre back made his Socceroos debut in 2019 and hasn’t looked back
Australia kicked off their campaign with a comprehensive 7-0 thrashing of Bangladesh in Melbourne last week, while Palestine drew 0-0 with Lebanon.
But defender Harry Souttar certainly isn’t taking anything for granted.
‘There’s no easy games of football and there’s always going to be good players, no matter what level you play at,’ he said.
‘So we know we are going to have to be on the top of our game. ‘First and foremost, the focus will be a clean sheet really.
‘Against these teams, we know we are going to have more of the ball. ‘So it’s about our concentration levels because any given day you never know what could happen.’
Souttar has consistently led Australia’s defence under Graham Arnold and impressed, shaking off his lack of game time at Leicester City in the Championship.
‘I’ve got to thank the boss for continuing to select me and play me even though I’ve not been playing at club level,’ he said.
‘His trust in me that I can go out there and perform is big.
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold will demand an assured performance in Kuwait when his team tackle Palestine in a World Cup qualifier
‘So for me to go into every match with not just playing for your country and wanting to play well, but obviously trying to repay his faith.
‘I’d like to think I’m one that really speaks on the park and helps players alongside me. I think the manager knows that and he really trusts me to get his message across on the pitch as well.’
Souttar, who stands more than 200cm tall, is confident he’s now respected as a centre-back well beyond just his height.
‘As long as the people that are selecting me – the boss (Arnold), Rene (Meulensteen), Bugsy (Brad Maloney) can see what I can do on the ball and trust me, then that’s fine by me,’ he said.
‘Certainly at this stage of the campaign a lot obviously does get made about my height. ‘But as long as we keep winning football matches and keep going in the right direction then people can say what they want.’
