Garang Kuol is Australia’s wonderkid: here’s why he’s ready to shine for Socceroos at the World Cup

Garang Kuol stands at the beginning of a path that only a handful of Australian footballers have trod.

A $520,000 move to Newcastle United last month has stamped the 18-year-old as one of the most exciting talents from his country since Harry Kewell. Like Kewell’s move to Leeds all those years ago, Kuol is backed by a Premier League club with lofty ambitions to be at the top of the food chain.

But the journey to this point was far from a smooth ride for Kuol. In a world where ‘prodigies’ are followed and cherished from an early age, this is a young man whose story stands in stark contrast to his contemporaries.

Born in Egypt to Sudanese parents who fled their homeland in search of a better life, the Kuols later moved to Australia, where they were granted refugee status to build a secure future.

But instead of growing up in the chaos of inner-city Melbourne, Garang’s family – made up of Garang and his four brothers – settled in Shepparton, a rural town 200 kilometers north of Victoria’s capital.

And it was in Shepparton’s humble background where Kuol’s passion for the round ball really blossomed. It was clear that Garang, along with older brother Alou, had talent that set them apart from most of the youth in the area — the brothers a few rough diamonds, waiting to be discovered.

But that discovery was far from easy. Garang’s mother, Antonita, worked as a seasonal employee at SPC, but was unable to afford the costs associated with sending the brothers to tournaments abroad, where international scouts could have their eye on the duo.

Then the Shepparton community came together for the Kuol family. A fundraiser raised a whopping $8,000, which was enough to enable the Kuol brothers to represent regional Victoria in Japan and Spain.

“The whole community around us is supportive. If I can’t take them [her kids] [to a game] they take them, and sometimes they bring them home,” she told ABC Sport.

‘You have the feeling that your children will be fine’ […] your child can be safely around them.’

Looking back at the community’s fundraiser, Antonita said, “That was really amazing. And I really don’t want to forget it. That time was a very, very big time to see someone can pay thousands of dollars to help you.

“We are very blessed to be in Shepparton.”

The kind act of the Shepparton community set the wheels in motion for the two brothers. Alou tested with Melbourne Victory and Western United before finding a home with Central Coast Mariners. Garang later joined the club’s academy.

The elder Kuol brother immediately impressed the senior team, scoring seven goals in 30 appearances in 2020-21. It was no surprise when clubs from Europe started showing interest in the striker, who sealed a move to Germany’s Stuttgart.

As for Garang, he made his Central Coast debut eight months after Alou’s move to Germany’s second tier and immediately impressed by scoring from the bench in the Mariners’ 6-0 win over APIA Leichhardt in the FFA Cup. .

His A-League debut went as well as his senior arc, scoring in April in a 5-0 romp at Wellington Phoenix. Kuol scored four goals in seven games for his side, earning him a ‘Commissioner’s pick’ in the A-League All Stars game against Barcelona in May.

And, as was the case with his two debuts for Central Coast, Kuol came off the bench to make an immediate impact against one of the world’s best teams.

Kuol picked up the ball from inside his own half, showed Aranda a clean pair of heels to drive to goal, slid past Adama Traore on his right foot before breaking away from defending giants Ronald Araújo and Samuel Umtiti to put Marc ter Stegen between the sticks.

With only the keeper to beat, the 18-year-old dipped the ball over the advancing German, but his effort drifted millimeters wide. Still, there was enough in that brief cameo to show that this young refugee has something special.

Graham Arnold certainly saw it that way. While it was too early to call up Kuol to the Socceroos playoffs with the UAE and Peru, the Mariners gun was on his radar and earned him a call up to the September internationals.

Kuol made his debut against New Zealand and became the youngest Australian since Kewell to play for the Socceroos, showing enough to convince fans he could be his country’s livewire in Qatar.

“He’s confused. He was something different when he came on (in the recent friendly against New Zealand) and that’s what we’re looking for,” Arnold told Code Sports.

“But again, he still has a lot to learn. He’s rough and he’s rough, and that’s expected at age 18.

“I’ve shown that I’m willing to take these kinds of risks, which is to shock and surprise opponents, but he still has a long, long way to go.”

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is also reluctant to spread too much praise for Kuol, at least publicly. The Magpies boss says he will keep a close eye on the 18-year-old’s progress and a positive World Cup campaign could be rewarded with a quick move to the first-team squad.

“I’d say right now the plan would probably be, and these things could change, to go on loan from January,” he said. ‘Where that is, I have no idea.

“We are working on several options, but if he is selected, his participation in the World Cup may change. It also contains many moving parts.’

But he must first take that place in the world’s biggest tournament, and that is by no means a foregone conclusion. While there’s a lot of excitement around Kuol, Arnold isn’t the type of manager who takes to public pressure and selects a player purely on ‘hype’.

A strong start to the A-League season is therefore of the utmost importance. As for Mariners coach Nick Montgomery, if Kuol can keep his head down and not fall into the luxuries that inevitably follow young footballers, the sky is the limit.

“As long as Garang stays away from partying and things that can distract young players, he will thrive,” said the 40-year-old.

“He is a sensible boy, has a good family behind him and his focus must remain to be the best player he can be.”

There may still be twists and turns, but everything seems to be very beneficial for young Kuol.