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Bizarre call-up will cost Australia’s best emerging talent a shot at World Cup glory with Garang Kuol BLOCKED from crucial A-League clashes – as Mariners team-mate tells teen he should ‘be free and have fun’
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Rising star Garang Kuol’s World Cup dreams have been all but thwarted after he was bizarrely called up to represent the Young Socceroos.
Central Coast Mariners striker Kuol, 18 – regarded by many in football circles as Australia’s standout emerging talent – was selected this week for three qualifiers abroad for the 2023 U-20 Asian Cup.
The Australian under-twenties squad will face Iraq, India and Kuwait between October 14 and 18.
Kuol’s selection means he will not be able to line up for the Mariners in the A-League after being loaned to the club by EPL side Newcastle United, effectively banning him from participating in the World Cup.
Given Kuol recently made his full international debut against New Zealand, the decision is mind-boggling.
It also comes after coach Graham Arnold emphasized the importance of A-League players ‘coming to the ground’ as they want to impress before he picks his last squad of 26 for Qatar.
Rising star Garang Kuol’s World Cup dreams appear to be shattered after he was called up to represent the Young Socceroos (pictured, during his senior debut against New Zealand)
Considered a superstar in the making, the teenager recently signed a multi-year deal with EPL side Newcastle United
‘I find it really hard to understand,” Mariners boss Nick Montgomery told the… Sydney Morning Herald.
“We’ve had a three-month pre-season and now we’re losing players in the A-League to play in a [under-20s] Asian Cup qualification.
‘to take him’ [Kuol] out, of course it’s hard for us, and it’s hard for the Australian public who want to see him in the A-League.”
Kuol will leave the Mariners in January after recently signing a multi-year contract with Newcastle United worth an estimated $500,000.
Without a work permit, he is tipped to immediately go on loan, with Portugal as the likely destination.
As the hype on Kuol mounts, Mariners teammate Jason Cummings had a simple message for the raucous teen: be free and enjoy.
Kuol, 18, scored four goals in nine appearances off the bench for the Mariners in the A-League last season
He also attracted attention on the world stage when he represented the A-League All Stars against football giants Barcelona in May.
“Outside of football, he’s just a normal kid. He’s a good boy and he’s humble,” said the Scottish-born Socceroos striker.
“He keeps his feet on the ground. He doesn’t let it (talking) get to him, he takes everything on his feet.
“Everyone can see that he is a world-class player. He’s only 18, so he has a bright future.”
The Mariners kick off their A-League campaign on Saturday with a derby against the Newcastle Jets in Gosford.
Kuol, who scored four goals in nine games from the bench last season, is ready to join Montgomery.