Last night, Garang Kuol became the youngest ever Australian player to feature at the World Cup.
The Toon-bound attacker came on in the 73rd minute of Tuesday night’s defeat to France – a cameo which also made him the ninth youngest player in World Cup history.
Kuol will arrive at Newcastle United in January, where he is then expected to join a European side on loan until the remainder of the 2022/23 season.
In just 328 minutes of A-League football, the teenage sensation has bagged an incredible six goals and two assists, with all thirteen of his appearances coming from the bench.
He’s yet to start a game in senior football, but came off the bench last night for the Socceroos. At 4-1 down – thanks to goals from Rabiot, Giroud and Mbappe – the game was all but over during his time on the pitch, but he did show a turn of pace during his brief spell on the field. Hopefully we see more of the Central Coast Mariners star in upcoming games against Tunisia and Denmark.
Here’s what Kuol had to say following his call-up, insisting he is ‘excited’, not intimidated, by the challenge ahead:
“I wouldn’t say intimidated, I find it more exciting, to see what I can do against players of that calibre. It is a very exciting experience for me.
“Obviously, I’ve watching the Socceroos for a long time. The World Cup is the biggest stage of all.
“I want to prove myself and I have just got to go into it with the right mindset. It is all about having confidence in yourself and being ruthless, having that mindset to want to create something and make an impact.
“I don’t really pay attention to what is said around me and stuff. I am mainly just focused on what I do on the field, at training and games. If I’m not playing well, I’m not going to look at what is said online to gee me up.
“I’m still getting used to it (with the Australia squad), the boys play quick, the ball just zips around. It is a whole lot of chasing, we are trying to mirror what France would do.
“Speaking with Arnie (Aussie Head Coach Graham Arnold) he just told me he has plenty of belief in me. I have just got to keep training well and to prove myself.
“Three years back, my mum was driving me to Melbourne every two weeks, two hours there, two hours back. It’s a journey that involves me and everyone (family) is part of it. They are very happy for me obviously, they just told me to do my best and make them proud.“
