World Cup qualifier: Harry Souttar scores double as Socceroos hammer Chinese Taipei to stay unbeaten
Just two games into his Socceroos career and Harry Souttar is closing in on the goalscoring exploits of childhood hero, Mark Viduka. And he hasn’t given up on claiming another that was controversially taken off him.
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When Harry Souttar was growing up in Scotland there was a poster of Mark Viduka on his wall.
Little did that boy know years later he’d not only be playing for the Socceroos but he’s fast closing in on Viduka’s goal tally for the national team.
The 20-year-old centre-back backed up his goalscoring debut last week against Nepal with a second-half double as Australia cruised past Taiwan 7-1 in Kaohsiung.
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It means after two games for the Socceroos, Souttar is now just eight goals behind Viduka’s tally of 11 for the national team.
“If you’d said to me before the trip this would happen I wouldn’t believe you,” Souttar said.
“So for me to come here and just be able to play is just amazing.
“To get the two wins and the goals, as a centre-half, is a little added bonus.”
Souttar’s goal tally could be even better, with a second effort in the 5-0 win over Nepal in Canberra officially put down as an own-goal.
It’s a decision that clearly doesn’t sit well with the 198cm defender.
‘The Nepal one is being contested,” he said.
“I’ve told the media guys to contest it because I still think it was my goal but obviously the two today were clear, there’s no doubt.
“I’m absolutely delighted.”
Souttar will now return to English League One club Fleetwood Town before rejoining his new international teammates for a crucial away clash against Jordan in Amman next month.
And despite his goalscoring heroics, it’s his defensive duties that Souttar is eager to improve before that next month, especially as he builds his partnerships with international teammates such as Milos Degenek and Bailey Wright.
“The more you train, the more you play together, the more you get used to each other,” he said.
“It’s obviously first time playing with them both.
“I think it went well, they’re good communicators, they’re leaders so I’m only going to learn off them two to benefit my career.”
Originally published as World Cup qualifier: Harry Souttar scores double as Socceroos hammer Chinese Taipei to stay unbeaten