Sidelined Socceroo lands in Qatar to watch Australia’s do-or-die World Cup playoff against Peru

A knee injury has him sidelined, but a key defender will be in Doha supporting Australia in its sudden-death playoff against Peru.

Harry Souttar (centre) celebrates scoring a goal with Socceroos teammates Jamie Maclaren (left) and Jackson Irvine. Picture: Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images

Injured defender Harry Souttar has flown to Qatar to add his support to the Socceroos in their bid to qualify for this year’s World Cup.

Australia meets Peru on Tuesday morning (AEST) in Doha, with the winner of the intercontinental playoff to advance to the November 21-December 18 World Cup in Qatar.

Scotland-born Souttar was a crucial part of Australia’s qualifying bid, until disaster struck the giant Stoke City centre-back when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in the Socceroos’ 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia last November in Sydney.

Should the Socceroos beat Peru to qualify for Qatar 2022, Souttar will have completed his recovery and will be a likely World Cup squad selection.

“He was a crucial part of what we’ve created here and what we’ve done to get here,” Socceroos winger Martin Boyle said of Souttar.

“Since his injury, he’s been re-habbing and doing quite well.

“We’re delighted to see him. It’s a shame that he can’t be playing with us, but to be invited out, or coming out to here, it’s obviously special, and hopefully we can get the job done.”

Socceroos goalkeeper Mathew Ryan shows concern for Harry Souttar after the defender suffered a knee injury last November. Picture: Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images

The Socceroos are aiming for a fifth successive World Cup finals tournament appearance, but for Boyle, it will be his first time at a World Cup if the Australians qualify.

“Some lads are sharing their final thoughts because they’ve been in this position before and there’s a lot of inexperienced people who haven’t,” Boyle said.

“I certainly want be part of (the World Cup), so hopefully we can go out there and do everyone proud.

“We’ve prepared well, we’ve all slept well, we’ve ate well and we’re raring to go.

“The final preparations are done and we’re excited.”

Originally published as Sidelined Socceroo lands in Qatar to watch Australia’s do-or-die World Cup playoff against Peru