In some moments over the past 18 months, Harry Souttar was like the Socceroos’ forgotten man.
Ravaged by injuries - re-tearing his Achilles shortly after having it surgically repaired, then having his late-stage recovery derailed by knee surgery - at some points there were doubts the defender would reach this World Cup.
But the Socceroos never forgot Souttar’s quality or his leadership.
In his second game back from injury, the towering central defender wore the captain’s armband for the first time against Switzerland.
The next game, with Maty Ryan and Jackson Irvine dropped to the bench, Souttar was leading Australia out at a World Cup - and shining.
"If you see Harry, Harry is a leader - he's got it in him," said midfielder Ajdin Hrustic.
“He's giving you something that other players don't have... everyone brings something to that team, and he's got something in him.
"He's a natural leader. He might not be the loudest, but he steps up.
“I'm proud of him because he's had two tough injuries, and he's come back really strong. In his first camp, he shared a room with me, so we've got a special bond.
"He gives a speech (pre-game). He's not the loudest, but he's there for us."
Even when vice-captain Irvine returned, Souttar still kept the armband.
The quietly assured big man has enjoyed another stellar World Cup campaign as the general of Australia’s back three.
"From my perspective, he's just taken it all in his stride," assistant coach and former Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak said.
“You've seen Harry grow throughout the tournament. He's grown in the role, no doubt about that, and he's staying true to who Harry Souttar is, and that's what is important.
"He's true to who he is, and in the brief time I've had to be able to work with him, you're seeing Harry out there on the pitch in the same way you see him here in the meal room.
“It's nice to see that growth, and I'm sure he's feeling positive about that as well."
Next up is marshalling Australia's defence against the threat of Egypt superstar Mohamed Salah in their round-of-32 clash at Dallas Stadium on Friday (4am Saturday AEST).
"It's not easy to do what he did," fellow defender Alessandro Circati said.
"He missed almost two years of football and came back, and he's playing like he hasn't missed any football.
"Hats off to him, with the hard work that he's put in. It's not easy. I passed a similar period (through injury), and he's had to work on himself, and I'm sure he's done that.
"We see it on the pitch, he's done that very well, and obviously backing up with performances is the hardest thing, but he's done exactly that."
