Socceroos defender Harry Souttar calls for referees to 'help me a bit more' after rugby style tactics from willing Asian Cup opponents
- Harry Souttar adamant he is being constantly fouled
- Called for referees to 'help a bit more' at Asian Cup
- Socceroos play Indonesia on Sunday from 10.30pm AEDT
Fed up Socceroos defender Harry Souttar says he'd like to see referees play closer attention to the infringing and tight marking he has endured at attacking set-pieces at the Asian Cup.
With his towering 198cm frame (6'7) and nous around goal, Souttar is one of Australia's most threatening weapons at corner and free-kicks, with 10 goals in 25 caps.
But in Qatar, he has been frequently double-teamed and kept goalless, with multiple defenders hanging off him amid comical scenes at times.
'If I'm being honest, I think the referees could probably help me a bit more,' Souttar said ahead of Sunday's round-of-16 match against Indonesia.
'I know we had meetings before the tournament about what are going to be fouls and what's going to be certain fouls and then you go into the games and you're thinking 'well, we've been told that's something and they're not giving it'.
![Socceroos defender Harry Souttar has called on referees at the Asian Cup to 'help a bit more' after he has been a constant target for defenders, especially from set pieces in Qatar](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/26/22/80522821-13012075-Socceroos_defender_Harry_Souttar_has_called_on_referees_at_the_A-a-14_1706309958239.jpg)
Socceroos defender Harry Souttar has called on referees at the Asian Cup to 'help a bit more' after he has been a constant target for defenders, especially from set pieces in Qatar
![Souttar's comments were surprising given he is almost two metres tall and is known for his physicality (pictured, getting a yellow card against Uzbekistan)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/26/22/80522771-13012075-Souttar_s_comments_were_surprising_given_he_is_almost_two_metres-a-15_1706309958351.jpg)
Souttar's comments were surprising given he is almost two metres tall and is known for his physicality (pictured, getting a yellow card against Uzbekistan)
'It's frustrating, but we're used to it.'
Coach Graham Arnold agreed, but indicated his big centre-back needed to make sure referees were aware he was being infringed.
'Harry maybe needs to play-act a little bit more as well - hit the ground and we might get get something from it,' he joked, before adding, more seriously: 'Like the Uzbekistan game, when I look back at the set pieces, they're basically rugby-tackling him and he can't move.
'But that's the way it is.'
But the focus on Souttar should open the door for players like Kusini Yengi, Kye Rowles and Jackson Irvine to thrive at set-pieces.
'If I'm getting double-marked or whatever, then there's opportunities for me just to leave the area and drag two out,' Souttar said.
'Because we've obviously got good headers of the ball, some great height and real aggression in there.'
Arnold said with teams defending set pieces well, Australia needed to improve their approach.
![Arnold is adamant his team is capable of going up a couple of gears following a slow start to the Asian Cup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/26/22/80523909-13012075-Arnold_is_adamant_his_team_is_capable_of_going_up_a_couple_of_ge-a-16_1706309958372.jpg)
Arnold is adamant his team is capable of going up a couple of gears following a slow start to the Asian Cup
'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 said.
'The balls are different but surely by now we're getting used to them.'
Souttar insisted players in the box also needed to lift.
'Can we be stronger, can we move more, can we be in different positions?' he said.
'Obviously we work on it a lot and our record was really good.
'I've had a few chances where I've headed one back to the taker, it's hit the wrong part of my head and obviously the keeper's come for a few of them.
'But if I score or if I don't score, as long as we win, that's all I care about.'
The Socceroos take on Indonesia in the round of 16 at the Asian Cup, with kick-off 10.30pm on Sunday AEDT.