Everyone in Shepparton knows Garang Kuol is one of the most talented, electrifying and exciting young footballers going around.
His abilities are in fact so promising that Kuol has now been named on an exclusive list alongside the other best footballing prospects around the world.
Round ball website goal.com named Kuol as one of “the best 50 wonderkids in football” in an article last week.
The list include players from some of the biggest clubs in the world – Manchester United, Liverpool, Paris Saint Germain, Real Madrid, Barcelona and more – with the Shepparton product named alongside them.
The news came days before Kuol added to his international caps on Friday night with a memorable performance.
Kuol started on the bench for Australia in the opening game of the Socceroos’ Welcome Home Series before he was subbed on late and contributed in the 3-1 win over Ecuador.
The skilful winger got in behind the Ecuador defence and found himself on the end of an Aziz Behich cross which the youngster guided into the back of the net for what was his maiden goal at international level.
Kuol and the Socceroos head to Melbourne on Tuesday evening for the second and final game of the series.
The 18-year-old burst onto the scene with Central Coast Mariners, wowing fans with his ability to score and impact a game immediately after coming onto the pitch.
The teenager inked a move overseas to Premier League giant Newcastle United, before being loaned out to Scottish club Heart of Midlothian.
Kuol then featured twice for the Socceroos at the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar last year, showcasing his talents on the biggest stage of them all.
Kuol went head-to-head with the legendary Lionel Messi, coming agonisingly close to scoring an incredible equaliser in the Round of 16 knockout match against Argentina.
“The forward (Kuol) provided a goal or assist every 57.5 minutes for Central Coast Mariners, leading to the likes of Barcelona, Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund showing an interest in him before the Magpies won the race for Kuol’s signature by paying £300,000,” Goal.com said.
Kuol has made seven appearances for Hearts and is still waiting to score his first goal for the club.
BASL League Two fixture announced
Bendigo Amateur Soccer League has released the fixture for the upcoming Central Victorian League Two men’s season.
Nine teams are set to compete in League Two this year – up from the four teams in the division in 2022 – with round one kicking off on Saturday, April 1.
Shepparton Soccer Club is returning to the pitch for the first time since 2019, entering a side in the second division this season.
Golden City and La Trobe University have dropped down from League One – with both clubs opting to enter two teams.
The five newcomers will compete against last year’s four clubs Border Raiders, Swan Hill, Deniliquin Wanderers and Shepparton Jaguars.
Shepparton will take on Golden City Rams in round one on Saturday, April 1, while the Jaguars – who finished second on the league table last year – will face off against La Trobe Uni Black on Sunday, April 2.
Both games will be played at Vibert Reserve in Shepparton.
The League One season will kick off that same weekend, with a grand final rematch headlining the opening round of fixtures.
Tatura will host Shepparton South on Sunday, April 2, the first time the two sides have met since the Ibises defeated South on penalties in last year’s grand final.
Shepparton United will start its season with a match against Eaglehawk at McEwen Reserve, also on Sunday, April 2.