Awer Mabil, Thomas Deng headline new wave of Socceroos talent
AWER Mabil and Thomas Deng lit up the Socceroos’ win over Kuwait — and for both it caused flashbacks to their childhood growing up together in Adelaide, after fleeing civil war in Africa.
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A DECADE ago they kicked a ball around the streets of an Adelaide suburb, growing up in Australia after fleeing civil war in Africa.
Now Awer Mabil and Thomas Deng are the smiling face of Graham Arnold’s new-look Socceroos after helping to clinch a 4-0 defeat of Kuwait in Arnold’s first game in charge.
Mabil scored Australia’s fourth on his debut, from a move begun by Deng in his own first appearance — for both it caused flashbacks to their childhood in Andrews Farm, having come to South Australia as refugees born in Kenya to South Sudanese parents.
Hailed by Arnold as part of a new wave of talent for the national team, Mabil and Deng are still close friends despite playing in Denmark and Melbourne respectively — to the extent that Deng told his mate he would score, after both came on as second half substitutes.
“We grew up together, nine years ago we were playing in the park together and we were at the same school,” said Mabil.
“It was a big dream for us to make our debut and especially on the same day. It’s something I will never forget. We will tell our grandkids one day, we will enjoy it.
“I haven’t looked back at the goal but when I do it will bring back the memories from the past when we used to play together.
“It feels good, it feels really good. This is my second camp with Arnie, he’s got a special way of coaching. You can see through the boys tonight we put it on to the field.
“People were asking who’s going to score the goals but there’s a lot of people scoring goals now.”
For Melbourne Victory rightback Deng, it was “a dream come true”, after he came on to replace Josh Risdon.
“To be honest I wasn’t expecting to come on and make my debut,” he said.
“It was an amazing game to come in and do well and show what I could do.
“It’s crazy because we grew up together, it’s surreal. It’s amazing. I told him he was going to score before the game. I’m very happy for him that it came off.”
Keen to blood more talent, Arnold took pleasure from half his team at the end of the Kuwait win having negligible international experience.
“It’s special in terms of their debut, but they deserve it,” said Arnold.
“It’s reward for the good kids who are coming through. It’s the whole reason I took on the Olympic team as well because the pool needs to get deeper.
“There’s only one way for that, by giving the kids ago. Those kids came on (against Kuwait) and did a great job: Mabil, Deng, Mustafa Amini, Alex Gersbach, young Daniel Arzani came on and caused havoc. That’s five kids to start with.”
Meanwhile Deng had one more pressing engagement.
“I’ll probably call my mum first and foremost and thank her for all the years that she’s been taking me to training,” he said.
“It’s finally paid off I guess. I’m very happy.”
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Originally published as Awer Mabil, Thomas Deng headline new wave of Socceroos talent