Garang Kuol’s meteoric rise has caught the attention of Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou, who described the Central Coast Mariners’ star’s emergence as “great for Australian football”.
The 18-year-old is currently in his maiden Socceroos camp, having caught the eye of Graham Arnold. It also seems, according to widespread reports out of UK and Europe, that overseas clubs are keeping close tabs on him – attention accelerated by his breakthrough display for the A-Leagues All Stars against Barcelona in May.
“It is great to see,” the former Socceroos boss said, speaking to KEEPUP in Sydney.
“We love young talent (in Australia), we always get excited by it. And he looks like he has got something about him, which is great.
“He is in the national team now, another great platform for him.
A lot of somebody’s football career is about timing and he might be timing his run perfectly, going to a World Cup at such a young age and hopefully making an impact and changing his life. It is great for Australian football.
Postecoglou continued: “It is often spoken about how closely the immigration story is being connected to football in Australia and what a key role it played in the growth of our nation, and a sport, and once again it is at the forefront.
“I hope he goes well.”
Kuol looms as a potential wildcard for Arnold’s World Cup squad, but first must impress in this camp, and if given an opportunity in the two upcoming matches against New Zealand, as Australia prepares for a fifth consecutive World Cup, which kicks off in November.
“It is an important period; it is exciting. Going to a World Cup, having experienced it myself, it is a special event – and what I have always wanted is to make an impact there…we made an impact in 2006 and had some missed opportunities since then.
“For us to grow as a nation is, as you continually qualify for World Cup, you try and make an impact and go back every time and become a significant member of it and not just qualify and be happy with that.
“The group is a decent group (France, Denmark, Tunisia)…hopefully they can knock off a couple of the big guns and have everyone talking about the Socceroos.”
