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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
Sport
Ben Banks

Kye Rowles shines for Australia as Hearts star stands tall in crucial World Cup victory


Kye Rowles was a key performer in Qatar as the Hearts centre-back starred for Australia in their 1-0 World Cup Group D win against Tunisia.

The Socceroos were looking for a big win to boost their last 16 chances, and got in front at the break through a Mitchell Duke header. It descended into a scrappy game and Graham Arnold's side dug out a precious win. Celtic midfielder Aaron Mooy, Dundee United's Aziz Behich and Hearts' Rowles started, while former Ross County pair Jackson Irving and Harry Souttar were also in the starting XI, with St Mirren's Keanu Baccus coming off the bench.

Tynecastle man Nathaniel Atkinson was an unused substitute alongside Hibs hero Jason Cummings, and another ex-Hibee in Jamie MacLaren also got off the bench. Their final group game will come against Denmark on Wednesday and it presents a chance to reach the knockout stages of the tournament in Qatar.

READ MORE: Exclusive: Andy Irving leaves Hearts transfer return door open as he savours life in Austria

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Rowles marshalled the defence well alongside Souttar, with pundit Danny Murphy impressed on BBC commentary by his work during a late surge of Tunisian attack.

Manager Arnold said: "I am proud of the boys. We showed that great, fighting Aussie spirit. We got in their faces and I hope we made the nation very proud.

"The effort level was incredible. It's huge. I couldn't be prouder of them. We had great support and as I said to the boys, we have achieved one win, it's nothing, we have more to do."

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