Harry Souttar scores as Socceroos beat Palestine in World Cup qualifier

The Socceroos have ground their way to a tough 1-0 win over Palestine in Kuwait to maintain their perfect start to World Cup qualifying.

Australia will resume qualifying in March, after the Asian Cup, four points clear with four games to play. Source: AP / AP

Key Points

• The Socceroos secured an unconvincing 1-0 win over Palestine.
• The Palestine versus Australia game was going to be held in the West Bank, but it had to be moved due to the escalation of violence in the region.
• While Palestine is not universally recognised as a nation throughout the world, FIFA gave it member status in 1998.

Defender Harry Souttar says the Socceroos' unconvincing 1-0 win over Palestine was an important lesson about the difficulties of qualifying for the World Cup through Asia.

Australia are on top of group I on six points after Souttar nodded home in the 18th minute at the Jaber Al-Ahmed International Stadium in Kuwait.

Only a magnificent save from Mat Ryan just before half-time stopped an excellent Palestine equalising.

The Socceroos struggled with Palestine's intense pressing and failed to create many meaningful chances.

"I don't think we were best pleased with our performance. We can play a lot, lot better," Souttar told Network 10.

"But it's a great lesson for us as a team and a couple of the new guys coming into the squad about playing games away in Asia.

"If you want to go through and qualify, these are the games you've got to win.

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

With Bangladesh and Lebanon drawing 1-1 in their earlier match, Australia will resume qualifying in March, after the Asian Cup, four points clear at the top of the table.

There are four games to play in the group, and the top two teams in the group progress to the next stage.

Australia's Harry Souttar, left, and Palestine's Oday Dabbagh battle for the ball during a World Cup qualifying match at the Jaber Al -Ahmad stadium in Kuwait. Source: AAP / Jaber Abdulkhaleg

"It's exactly what I predicted and thought: that Palestine were going to come out with that type of energy, that type of work rate and fight and you've got to give full credit to Palestine," coach Graham Arnold told Network 10.

"Probably we didn't play our best but the most important thing was the three points.

"I'll have a bit of break now, a bit of a reflection on everything and I look forward to that."

Harry Souttar, heading clear from Palestine's Oday Dabaghb, was a dominant presence in both boxes.

The win was soured by a groin injury to right-back Ryan Strain in the 21st minute.

The game was relocated from the West Bank to Kuwait due to the escalation in violence in the region, but the crowd was clearly pro-Palestinian.

Palestinian fans cheer during the 2026 FIFA World Cup AFC qualifiers football match between Palestine and Australia at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City on 21 November 2023. Source: Getty / Yasser Al-Zayat

Palestinian players wore keffiyehs around their necks for their national anthem and both teams lined up around the centre circle before kick-off for a minute's silence.

Israel has bombarded Gaza since Hamas' 7 October attack in which more than 1,200 people were killed, according to the Israeli government, and over 200 hostages taken.

More than 13,300 people have been killed in Gaza since 7 October, according to the health ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza.

The Socceroos have committed a portion of their match payments to Oxfam's humanitarian efforts in Gaza, with the sum matched by Football Australia.