SOUTTAR: ASIAN CUP REFS COULD GIVE ME MORE PROTECTION

towering Harry Souttar, defender for the Socceroos, feels referees could shield him more because he has been heavily targeted at set pieces throughout Australia’s Asian Cup campaign.
Harry Souttar, a defender for the Socceroos, says he would like referees to pay more attention to the tight marking and infractions he has encountered when attacking set-pieces at the Asian Cup.

Souttar, who has 10 goals in 25 games, is one of Australia’s most dangerous weapons at corners and free kicks thanks to his 198 cm size and goal-scoring acumen.

However, he has routinely been kept goalless and double-teamed in Qatar, where hilarious scenarios have seen numerous defenders hover over him.

Speaking candidly, Souttar told AAP that he thought the referees should have assisted him a little bit more before Sunday’s round-of-16 encounter against Indonesia.

“I know that prior to the tournament, we had meetings to discuss specific fouls and what counts as a foul. However, as the games begin, you start to think, ‘Well, we’ve been told that’s something and they’re not giving it.'”

It’s among them. Although annoying, we’ve been accustomed to it.

Although coach Graham Arnold concurred, he told AAP that his large center-back needed to ensure that the officials were aware of the infringement.

“Harry maybe needs to play-act a little bit more as well – hit the ground and we might get get something from it,” Arnold chuckled.

“Like the Uzbekistan game, when I look back at the set pieces, they’re basically rugby-tackling him and he can’t move,” he continued, more seriously.

“But that’s the way it is.”

However, Souttar’s attention should pave the way for players like Jackson Irvine in set-pieces, Kusini Yengi, Cam Burgess, or Kye Rowles.

“If I’m getting double-marked or whatever, then there’s opportunities for me just to leave the area and drag two out,” Souttar stated.

“Because we’ve obviously got good headers of the ball, some great height and real aggression in there.”

Arnold said Australia needed to change their strategy because teams were doing a good job of defending set pieces.

“It’s all about the delivery and making sure that we get our runs right and movement right and I’ve been a little bit disappointed in our delivery,” he stated.

“The balls are different but surely by now we’re getting used to them.”

Players in the box, Souttar stressed, also had to elevate.

“Can we be stronger, can we move more, can we be in different positions?” he asked.

“We obviously put a lot of effort into it, and we had a great track record.

“On a couple of occasions, I’ve headed one back to the taker, but it struck the wrong side of my head, and the keeper has evidently came for a couple of them.

“But if I score or if I don’t score, as long as we win, that’s all I care about.”