A return to the coveted green and gold awaits Shepparton’s Garang Kuol, who has earned selection in the Socceroos’ squad for its Welcome Home series against Ecuador.
The 18-year-old winger was named in Graham Arnold’s 26-man camp set to play in a two-match exhibition against La Tricolor later this month in Sydney and Melbourne.
And a chance of respite awaits.
The camp gives Kuol a break away from his current loan spell at Scottish Premiership outfit Heart of Midlothian, where he has made seven appearances since joining in January.
Arnold has placed faith in the youngster, indicating the upcoming series is a prime chance to invigorate Kuol’s football following a less than desirable start in Scotland.
“He’s gone to a competition that’s a physical competition, the way Scottish football is played,” Arnold said.
“It’s going to be a learning process for the kid as well.
“For (Garang), it’s about hanging in there and working hard and having that strong mentality, but this is what a national team camp can do for a young player who is going through a bit of a negative experience at their club – playing for their nation, there’s nothing more proud for him than that.”
There’s little left to say about Kuol’s last pride-filled touch in a Socceroos jersey.
Goulburn Valley’s round ball gem was a hand’s breadth away from sending the nation into raptures in Australia’s round of 16 tie against Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
His 97th-minute strike cannoned off the flailing limb of Argentine shot stopper Emiliano Martinez, who parried the strike which would have squared the tie.
However, Kuol’s cameos at the tournament contributed to a breath of fresh air fanned into Australian football, with the Socceroos, currently ranked 27th in the FIFA World Rankings, due to arrive at Commbank Stadium on March 24 with a wind at their backs against 41st-placed Ecuador.
The second and final game of the series will be staged at Marvel Stadium on March 28.