Garang Kuol picked in Newcastle United squad playing against the A-League All Stars in Melbourne

There is a world where he could play against his brother in the professional realm for the first time too.

Alou Kuol has been in fine form for the Central Coast Mariners this season, and with the selection date for the A-League All Stars fast approaching, the 22-year-old could be picked for the exhibition game at Marvel Stadium.

However, the Mariners’ searing form could be a hindrance to Kuol’s selection.

As his proud mother Antonita explained, if the Mariners progress through this week’s A-League semi-final, then it could throw a major spanner in the sibling showdown storyline.

“Alou’s team is waiting for this Saturday for the game against Sydney FC,” she said.

“If they win that one, he won’t be able to go to All Stars because they will have a final the next week.

“Only if they don’t win this Saturday, but the All Stars’ (selection process) should be done by then.”

The Mariners head into the second leg against Sydney FC in a favourable position following last Saturday’s 2-1 victory against the Blues, with Alou’s outfit a strong chance to punch a ticket to the A-League grand final.

If that were to transpire, it would all but end his chances of representing the league in the exhibition as the A-League decider falls a day after the All-Stars match.

Regardless of what happens, the Melbourne audience will get their Kuol fix.

Back on home soil, Garang will be seeking a shot at retribution following a pair of lacklustre loan spells since signing for English Premier League giant Newcastle United in September 2022.

Interest from the European giant came off the back of Garang’s silky display against Barcelona in the 2022 A-League All Stars match, where the Goulburn Valley Suns export earned praise from footballing great Xavi.

Garang was immediately loaned out to Scottish outfit Hearts following his arrival at Newcastle, and after that didn’t turn out as planned, he was sent to Dutch side FC Volendam.

Across Garang’s two loan moves, he only appeared a combined 23 times for league duties in close to 18 months, scoring twice.

Now he’s back at his parent club and is out to re-route his career path.

Trips back Down Under nowadays are few and far between for the 19-year-old as he sticks to the rigorous regime of a professional footballer.

Antonita admitted it had been a long time since she’d seen her son play in Australia, but said “it’s beautiful” to have her boy back home.

“I think it was last year when Socceroos played in Melbourne; that was the last time (I saw him play live),” she said.

“He’s happy, he’s happy to come.”