Shepparton-raised forward Garang Kuol is one of the most exciting inclusions in the Socceroos World Cup squad, having set the A-League alight in 2022 with electrifying performances.
The teenage sensation became the youngest player to make their senior debut for Australia since Harry Kewell in 1996 when he received his first Socceroos call-up against New Zealand on September 25.
Kuol's love for football started at an early age, joining youth club Goulburn Valley Suns and when he turned 16, he signed for the A-League club Central Coast Mariners.
Having impressed at the Mariners and for the A-League All Stars against Barcelona in 2021, the winger signed with EPL club Newcastle United in September.
Kuol has built a reputation as a ‘super-sub’ for the Mariners; where he has scored six times and accumulated three assists off the bench in 11 appearances.
Speaking to the media in the lead-up to Australia’s first game against France, Kuol said being a part of the Socceroos squad was a “very exciting” experience for him.
“I have been watching the Socceroos for a long time and the world cup’s the biggest stage, so it is where I want to prove myself,” he said in the press conference.
“I just want to play well, create something and make an impact.”
Despite being on the verge of becoming the youngest Australian to play at a world cup, Kuol said he wasn’t listening to outside noise.
“It is just a label, it doesn’t really mean anything,” he said.
“I just got to perform on the field and that’s what makes me the player I am.
“I don’t really pay attention to what’s said about me, I am mainly just focused on myself and training.
“If I am not playing well I am not going to look online to cheer me up, what I do on the field is what makes me happy, it is what gives me the motivation to keep moving forward.”
As one of nine playing in the Socceroos’ squad who was born outside of Australia, Kuol has realised kids from Australia, his birthplace of South Sudan, and all over the world will want to emulate his journey.
“Being able to represent different heritages and be that role model to many kids and show them hard work can get you somewhere, I think that’s something I hold close to me,” he said.
“I just want to prove to kids, especially South Sudanese kids around the world that you can make something of yourself.”
Goulburn Valley Suns head coach Craig Carley said he could tell from the very start that Kuol was “exceptional”.
“We are only a young club, and I was very familiar with the Kuol’s from the very start as they have been with us since 2014,” he said.
“He was a pleasure to coach, he and his family are just an absolute pleasure to be a part of our club.
“He had that ability to beat players 1 v1 at a very young age, he just excelled at every level that he played at.”
Carley believed being in a regional area worked in Kuol’s advantage, as he was able to play multiple games each weekend.
“Sometimes we don’t always have the numbers to fill all of the squads essentially which also works in individual players' favours because sometimes Garang was playing 2-3 games on the one day,” he explained.
“I remember him being a 15-year-old kid and playing in our U21s and also training with the seniors.
“One story that does resonate with me is when we had Dandenong City come up and play us in a pre-season friendly and Adrian Leijier had just retired from Melbourne Victory and Garang came on for a 30-minute cameo and absolutely ripped him to pieces.
“It was just so refreshing to see this young kid just take to senior football like nothing, I was disappointed COVID-19 put a stop to that season because I really do believe that experience would have been good for Garang.
“In saying that, he hasn’t taken long to settle in at Central Coast, he has excelled at every level he has played at. He is a young footballer who plays with no fear and constantly has a smile on his face.”
Carley said all of Shepparton will be watching on during Australia’s World Cup campaign in anticipation of the youngster making his mark on the world stage.
“We have already organised a big night where we are all going to meet at the clubrooms and we have a big projector organised to come down,” he explained.
“It is going to be such a proud moment, he is such a humble, beautiful kid and he just loves playing football.
“This is only the very beginning for Garang, he will be a star and the whole world will know his name, come the end of this World Cup, I am sure of it.
“I hope Arnie (Graham Arnold) will give him his opportunity, regardless of his age he deserves to be there and hopefully we will get a start.
“I hope he gets a decent chance to show the world what he is all about because he is exciting, he makes the hairs on your arm stand up and that is what people love about football, they love exciting talent and Garang epitomises everything about that.”
His former coach explained it was validating to see him do so well, after years of harping on about his potential.
“He has produced that many moments of brilliance for not just us but for the Central Coast Mariners people are starting to take notice,” Carley said.
“I am just so proud of where Garang is now and I am sure he is going to showcase some sort of magic at the World Cup and when he gets his opportunity at Newcastle.
“He will star in the premier league as well, I have no doubt about it because he adapts to the environment that he is in.”
His former club is not surprised by his rapid rise as he worked extremely hard to get to the level he is today.
“It was an absolute pleasure to see the work that he was doing way from the training pitch,” Carley said.
“I would quite often go down to the grounds and see him honing his skills until the late hours of the evening.
“Garang was always working to get better, he would be there with his siblings and other friends just honing his skills.”
Kuol heads into the World Cup in tantalising form, scoring two goals off the bench in the Mariners' 3-2 defeat to Macarthur.
The young gun scored his first goal from a penalty and then was able to control a cross before picking his spot and smashing the ball into the goal through the tightest of angles.
Simon Hill labeled Kuol a “special talent” on commentary following his miraculous goal.
“You are watching something very, very special emerging on the Central Coast of New South Wales," Hill added after the brilliant goal.
"He's not going to be there for long, watch out world, Garang's coming!"