Harry Souttar #19

Profile

“You’ve got to love Souttar. You’ve got to absolutely love him.” So said commentator Pat Nevin after a particularly impressive outing from the towering centre-back in a hard-fought 1-0 win over Denmark at the 2022 World Cup. Many agree with Nevin and it’s easy to understand why Souttar became an instant fan favourite after making his debut for Australia in 2019. Two goals in that game against Nepal were followed by another two in his second full international v Chinese Taipei (remarkably he has a total of 11 in 36 games at the time of writing). But it is not just his goal threat that has observers purring – a no-nonsense, body-on-the-line playing style made him a regular starter under previous coach Graham Arnold, before an achilles injury disrupted his preparations for North America. Born in Aberdeen, he qualifies for the Socceroos through his West Australia-born mother and, at two meters, he has the distinction of being the tallest outfield player to have played for Australia. Only goalkeeper Zeljco Kalac has been taller.

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