Socceroos break Palestine hearts with World Cup qualifer win in Kuwait

Harry Souttar continued to defy his lack of playing time at club level with another decisive international appearance in the Socceroos’ 1-0 win over Palestine.

After finding the back of the net in Australia’s 7-0 defeat by Bangladesh in Melbourne last Thursday, the towering defender scored again in neutral Kuwait to ensure the Socceroos started their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with consecutive wins.

Souttar, who is the selection favorites at his English champion club Leicester, also led the defense in a match that was a lot tougher for Australia than perhaps many expected.

Socceroos captain and goalkeeper Mat Ryan was also crucial in the win, making a great save in the closing stages of the first half as striker Tamer Seyam looked certain to score after the Australians failed to deal with a Palestine corner.

Souttar had earlier given the Socceroos the lead when he headed home a Craig Goodwin corner in the 18th minute to score his 10th goal for Australia.

Australian players celebrate after Souttar’s goal. (Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat / AFP)

The pair had also combined against Bangladesh when Souttar scored from Goodwin’s free-kick.

But while that match opened the floodgates at AAMI Park, it was a different story at the Jaber al-Ahmad International Stadium, where the Australians were hard at work for long periods of the match.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold made four changes to the team that started against Bangladesh.

Three of these were in defence, with Ryan Strain, Aziz Behich and Kye Rowles taking the place of Lewis Miller, Jordan Bos and Cameron Burgess.

The other change was in attack with star winger Martin Boyle, who was not in danger against Bangladesh due to knee swelling, returning at the expense of Western Sydney Wanderers star Brandon Borrello.

Supporters wave Palestinian flags ahead of the 2026 AFC FIFA World Cup football match between Palestine and Australia. (Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat / AFP)

Palestine was well represented in Kuwait City. (Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat / AFP)

However, Strain only lasted 20 minutes before injuring his groin and being replaced by Miller.

Borrello was among those injected into the match during the second half, with the Western Sydney Wanderers forward forcing a good save from Palestinian goalkeeper Rami Hamadeh in the 64th minute.

From the subsequent corner, the Palestinians were saved by the woodwork when a header by Bos, who was also one of the substitutes in the second half, hit the crossbar.

Souttar admitted the Socceroos could “play a lot better”.

“I don’t think we were very satisfied with our performance,” the big centre-back told Network 10.

“It’s a great lesson for us as a team, for some of the new guys coming into the squad, about playing games in Asia.

“If you want to go on and qualify for the World Cup, these are the games you have to win.”