Australian coach lauds Palestine’s effort in first match since start of war in Gaza

Playing for the first time since war broke out in their homeland, Palestine showed the heart Socceroos coach Graham Arnold had to respect in their World Cup qualifier.

Palestinian fans show their support. Picture: Yasser Al-Zayyat / AFP

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold paid tribute to a plucky Palestine for the “fight” shown in a narrow World Cup qualifying loss to Australia amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Palestine was unable to host the clash which was moved Kuwait City where the Australians held on for a crucial 1-0 win which left them on top of their pool.

Thousands of Palestinians turned out for the game, the country’s first in front of fans since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

Australia’s players had already pledged to donate a portion of their match fee to humanitarian operations in Gaza, whose situation was described as “horrific” by Arnold.

Palestine players also wore keffiyehs, a traditional headdress, around their necks for their national anthem and both teams lined up around the centre circle before kick-off for a minute’s silence in recognition of the situation.

A moment of silence in Kuwait. Picture: Yasser Al-Zayyat / AFP

Arnold had braced the Socceroos for a gutsy display from the Palestinians given the backdrop of the game, and that’s what transpired during a contest that had plenty of feeling.

“It’s exactly what I predicted and thought,” Arnold said after a Harry Souttar header proved the difference between the two teams.

“Palestine were going to come out with that type of energy and that type of workrate and fight.

“We’ve got to give full credit to Palestine.”

Arnold said he was “proud” of the Socceroos, who made it back-to-back World Cup qualifying wins after last week’s 7-0 thrashing of Bangladesh in Melbourne.

“I think we can do better but I’m very proud of the boys. After everything off the field that we’ve gone through, getting this game planned, the fact that we got it done – that’s the main thing,” he said.

“We didn’t play our best but the most important thing was the three points.

“The game was really a fight for the second-ball game. They had four up front, they had a couple of big boys, they smashed it long and were getting ready for the second ball.”

Palestinian fans in full voice. Picture: Yasser Al-Zayyat / AFP

The Socceroos’ strength at set pieces was again evident, with towering defender Souttar scoring his 10th goal in his 22nd appearance for Australia when he headed home a Craig Goodwin corner in the 18th minute.

“Set pieces are crucial, especially when you’ve got someone of Harry Souttar’s size and height,” Arnold said.

“Then the delivery’s important, Craig Goodwin’s delivery on that corner was fantastic.”

Australia's Harry Souttar scores his goal. Picture: Yasser Al-Zayyat / AFP

Souttar, who also found the back of the net with a header from a Goodwin free kick against Bangladesh, was delighted to have again scored a crucial goal.

“It’s a great feeling to be on the scoresheet again,” the Scotland-born centre-back said.

“I never take it for granted. Scoring for your country is something really special. It’s just getting sweeter and sweeter.”

Souttar, who is out of selection favour at his English club side Leicester City, was also pleased to have made two starts for the Socceroos in the past seven days.

“I’m just so happy to be back on the grass and playing. Getting a knack, a hunger and a winning feeling back, there’s nothing like it,” he said.