Sport
Alou Kuol lights up the WAFF under-23 championship with two goals for the Olyroos in the final
Australia may have lost the West Asian Football Federation under-23 Championship Final, but national scouts needn’t look further than Alou Kuol to lead the line in future years.
On Wednesday morning, the Goulburn Valley gem stepped up with two diamond strikes for the Olyroos against the Korea Republic (AEDT).
In a cruel twist, however, younger brother Garang condemned Australia’s under-23s to defeat in the most brutal manner - penalties.
The Olyroos and Korea Republic were locked at 2-2 after 90 minutes at Saudi Arabia’s Al Fateh Stadium, sending the game to spot kicks where Garang, the last of Australia’s penalty-takers, saw his shot saved.
Older brother Alou had netted his 12-yard kick earlier, but his younger sibling’s faux pas handed the Reds a 4-3 win in the shootout.
There was no stealing Alou’s limelight during regular time, though.
The 22-year-old Shepparton product slotted a cutback during the 11th minute to put Australia 1-0 up, making a tricky finish look routine as only he could.
Korea Republic replied midway through the first half and again on the hour mark to go 2-1 ahead, but Kuol wasn’t done with his gunslinging act.
He bundled home a quick counter for his third goal of the tournament and to lock proceedings up at 2-2, and less than 20 minutes later, he was putting the ball in the net again - albeit in the shootout.
Up stepped Kuol first for the Olyroos, burying his penalty with aplomb.
When it came around to Garang’s turn, however, Korea Republic custodian Jeong-Hoon Kim proved to be the hero with a fine save to win the championship for his country.
Despite the Olyroos failing to win the final, both Kuol brothers had fine tournaments and have hardly damaged their chances of a call-up to Australia's senior side.