Two years is a long time in soccer.
In January 2021 Shepparton’s Garang Kuol made the move from the Goulburn Valley Suns to the Central Coast Mariners’ Academy — and now, in December 2022, he has a chance to take the field against the great Lionel Messi.
An unused substitute in Australia’s third and final World Cup group stage game against Denmark, Kuol’s side managed to achieve what many thought was unthinkable.
Making it to the round-of-16 of the tournament for the second time in Australian men’s soccer history, the Socceroos added to their 1-0 win over Tunisia with a 1-0 result against Denmark in the early hours of Thursday morning, Australian time.
Setting up a showdown against soccer heavyweight Argentina on Sunday, Australian coach Graham Arnold labelled the efforts of his charges “incredible” in his post-match interview.
“These boys came in with a great mindset, we’ve been working on this for four and a half years,” Arnold said.
“It’s about the belief, the energy and the focus and I could see it in their eyes they were ready tonight.”
Leading a tight-knit group, Arnold has made it clear that nobody wearing green-and-gold in Qatar is a passenger and everyone is playing their role, on or off the field.
Whether that means Kuol will come off the bench in Sunday’s do-or-die clash against Argentina or not, the youngster has experienced what many have tried, and failed, to do.
Sitting on the bench for Australia’s two World Cup victories in Qatar, Kuol’s cameo in his side’s opening game against France places him well and truly in the history books.
Still yet to start a game at the professional level, Kuol is now part of an exclusive club of Australian players to make it to the round-of-16 at a World Cup.
Part of a close Australian group, sharing a room with cult hero Jason Cummings and doing it all with his trademark smile, Kuol’s rise has and will continue to inspire young soccer players for years to come.
If he is to play against Argentina on Sunday morning, Kuol’s transition from an unknown talent to globally recognised name will be complete and with a move to English Premier League side Newcastle United on the horizon, his stocks are only set to rise.
So, whatever happens on Sunday morning, whether the Shepparton star sees minutes or not, whether the Socceroos win or lose, Kuol has well and truly put the Goulburn Valley on the world map — and it’s something we should all be proud of.
Australia’s World Cup round-of-16 match against Argentina is set to take place at 6am AEDT on Sunday.