Shepparton’s Garang Kuol made Socceroos history on Wednesday morning, becoming the youngest Australian male to pull on the green and gold at a World Cup.
The 18-year-old Central Coast Mariners star came off the bench at Qatar’s Al Janoub Stadium for Australia’s opening game against France, however a dominant performance from the reigning world champion had Kuol’s side fall 4-1.
Early on in the contest Australia found itself an unlikely leader, with Craig Goodwin benefiting from a fantastic Matthew Leckie cross to put his side 1-0 up in the ninth minute.
However, this lead would be short lived, with France’s Adrien Rabiot equalising in the 27th minute, before Olivier Giroud put Les Bleus 2-1 up five minutes later.
“They are the previous world champions for a reason,” Socceroos coach Graham Arnold said after the game.
“I thought that we started the game very well, physically they were just so much bigger, faster and stronger than us today.
“Overall the boys did everything they could and that’s all I can ask.”
Trailing 2-1 at half-time the Australians rarely threatened their opponents after the opening stages and when Paris Saint Germain talent Kylian Mbappé and AC Milan’s Giroud extended France’s lead, the contest was all but over.
It was after these goals when Kuol would be given his chance to shine, coming on as a substitute for Goodwin in the 73rd minute.
While there was little time to have an impact Kuol did his best to get his teammates moving, however, with the game well under the control of France, it was difficult to change momentum.
“You can see six foot four (inches) people that are as quick as me,” Kuol told keepup.com.au about France.
“That shows you the big difference between me and some of those players and how I have got to reach that level.
“The boys were just chasing France around.”
Beginning his spell with a show of pace on the right wing, the Kuol produced an incredible touch soon after to start an attacking move.
Another positive sign came in the 85th minute with Kuol outmuscling AC Milan defender Theo Hernández and Juventus’ Adrien Rabiot to keep possession of the ball.
While there was no trademark Kuol off-the-bench comeback, the young star did have a chance to score, finding himself in a perfect position at the top of the box in the dying seconds of the game, however, his teammates failed to find him.
“Going into the game I was just excited to go on to the pitch,” he said.
“And when the option came, I just wanted to get on the ball.”
Wednesday morning’s result leaves Australia in fourth place in Group D, with France on top and Tunisia and Denmark sharing the points.
On Saturday the Socceroos will take on Tunisia in a must-win battle and with Arnold almost certain to make changes to the squad - Kuol may get more time on the pitch.
France v Australia - Group D - Al Janoub Stadium, Qatar
France 4 (Rabiot 27’, Giroud 32’, 71’, Mbappé 68’) d Australia 1 (Goodwin 9’)