In the early hours of Monday morning something magical happened.
While most Australians were sleeping, Shepparton soccer sensation Garang Kuol produced a goal that could very well book him a ticket to the 2022 Fifa World Cup.
Taking on India at the AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Kuwait, Kuol put Australia a goal up in the 11th minute.
Making a run down the right wing, the former Goulburn Valley Sun got on the end of a great pass from Alexander Badolato at the edge of the 18-yard-box.
Controlling the ball with two quick touches, Kuol struck an unstoppable shot into the top right corner to help his country take the lead.
The Young Socceroos’ 4-1 win over India was their second of the under-20 Asian Cup qualifying campaign.
Adding to a positive 4-1 result over Kuwait on matchday one, the Australians will take on the group’s only other undefeated side, Iraq, at 12:30am on Wednesday Australian time, with the winner securing top spot.
The 18-year-old Kuol will be hoping to put in another influential performance on the last matchday, with the World Cup in Qatar now just over one month away.
Missing valuable game time in the A-League Men’s competition to be at the qualifiers, Kuol will need to impress to book a ticket on the plane for the global tournament.
Set to make the move to English Premier League club Newcastle United in January, Kuol made his senior Australian debut against New Zealand last month and is well and truly in the conversation to be in Graham Arnold’s World Cup squad.
While Kuol will be hoping to impress on the last matchday, fellow Shepparton talent James Nieuwenhuizen will be hoping he can potentially see some minutes on the field.
A substitute for both games so far in the tournament, the goalkeeper’s continued selection is a clear sign he is rated highly by the coaching staff, with the talent sure to take away a lot from the tournament experience even if he does not get on the pitch.