It is not every day that you get the chance to play for your country alongside your brother, but that is exactly the opportunity that looms for Shepparton duo Alou and Garang Kuol.
The brothers will have the chance to wear Australia’s green and gold together for the first time this month as they represent the nation at the Maurice Revello Tournament in France.
Australia’s Olyroos are among 12 teams competing in the prestigious under-23 tournament, alongside the likes of France, Mexico, Japan, Ivory Coast and Venezuela.
With Australia set to play its opening match of the tournament against Qatar at 10pm AEST on Tuesday night, June 6, it is the first of what could be a number of opportunities for the former Goulburn Valley Suns to take to the field together.
“It is always an honour to put on the jersey and to put it on alongside your brother, that will be very special,” Alou said.
“It is good to have your brother here. It is a proud moment for the family and it is good to see someone familiar that you have grown up with, it is nice.”
Garang said it was surreal to be in the Olyroos squad with Alou.
“To have a brother here with me, someone that we grew up with in the same room, is kind of crazy,” he said.
“It is very exciting. We are looking forward to it and hopefully we have a good time here.”
Following their opening game against Qatar, the Olyroos will take on a Mediterranean Select side on Friday, June 9 and Mexico on Monday, June 12
If Alou and Garang get the chance to take to the pitch together, it will be the latest chapter in their shared football journeys.
They played for the GV Suns, before both moving on to join the Central Coast Mariners Academy.
They broke into the Mariners’ senior side, showcasing their extraordinary talents as they each earned moves to Europe, and they have both represented the Olyroos in the past.
Alou joined German top-tier side VfB Stutgart in 2021, making his Bundesliga debut in January.
Garang meanwhile just completed his loan stint with Scottish Premiership side Heart of Midlothian, scoring his first goal for the Jam Tarts two weeks ago — a last-minute equaliser against the powerhouse Rangers.
After struggling to get consistent game time with Hearts, Garang said it was a huge boost to break through and score his first goal in Europe.
“It was just like a ‘finally’ moment,” Garang said.
“To get that goal, I think it was just relief because of the tough times I have had, especially over the last couple of months.
“Just to get that goal, it’s finally getting something under my belt at Hearts.”
Garang joined Hearts on a short-term loan deal in January after officially signing with English juggernaut Newcastle United at the start of the year.
The 18-year-old said his time with the Scottish club had helped him grow as a footballer.
“I feel like I have grown and matured as a player a lot and developed a lot as well,” he said.
“Hearts have a lot of good players and the standard is, I would say, high every week. Being in that environment day in, day out just helps me grow every day.”