How Shepparton turned Kuol into an international star on the rise
Twelve months ago Garang Kuol was a teenager playing soccer for the Goulburn Valley Suns. Now he is set to sign a contract with an EPL power house.
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A former coach of budding Socceroos star Garang Kuol says he is a one in a million talent and could be anything.
The 18-year-old is on the verge of becoming a household name in Australia with the Central Coast Mariners winger believed to be joining Newcastle United in the English Premier League.
A deal is said to have been done, but not yet publicly confirmed.
If announced it means Kuol will become one of the highest paid teenagers in the country.
It’s a remarkable rise for a player who was playing for the Goulburn Valley Suns in Shepparton just 12 months ago.
He played for the Suns for almost half a decade after starting his career with the Shepparton Soccer Club as a junior.
His family moved to the region from Egypt as refugees after leaving Sudan in the early 2000s.
His older brother, Alou, is currently playing in Germany while two of his younger brothers are part of the Central Coast Mariners Academy.
Kuol moved to the Central Coast Mariners last season and scored four goals in nine games last season to become one of the hottest talents in the A-League.
Last weekend he made his Socceroos debut against New Zealand becoming the youngest player to do so since Harry Kewell played for Australia in 1996 at the age of 17.
GV Suns technical director, Billy Marshall, who coached Kuol when he was younger, said the rise has been surprisingly quick.
“I never thought he might be getting linked with Newcastle, that is a one of a million like sort of (thing) coming from Shepparton to go and getting linked with Newcastle,’’ Marshall said.
“It’s a credit to him and he should be proud of his achievements.
“I’m not surprised that he’s gone on to do bigger and better things, because I personally always thought he’d always do that as he has the talent.”
Marshall said it wasn’t just the technique, which set Kuol apart, it was his dedication to the sport.
“For him to have a break out season in the A-League, I know he went into their academy and didn’t last long to go into the A-League.
“It was a surprise he didn’t last longer in the age groups but at the same time it isn’t.
“He would have gone in there and gone ‘my job is to get into the team (A-League) as quickly as possible’.
“Then my job is to get to Europe as quickly as possible.
“That’s his mentality and he’s so driven in that way.”
Marshall is in no doubt Kuol will be the best football talent to come out of Shepparton.
Kuol is one of only a handful of players from the city to play for the Socceroos and Marshall is confident he will be doing bigger and better things soon.
“I’ve only lived here for 10 years now, I’m actually originally from London, but since I’ve been here he’s definitely the most talented player that I’ve ever worked with.
“And back home (England) as well when I was coaching there.
“He’s very skilful and very fearless, never used to let things get to him.
“He’s very calm and composed, if he made a mistake he got on with it and wanted the ball again.
“A lot of kids they might go into their shell, things like that, but he was never like that.’’
Marshall compares Kuol to Barcelona and World Cup winner Ousmane Dembele with his role as a winger.
It was on show for the Socceroos last weekend where he won the ball, from defence, ran the length of the field with his dazzling skills and helped set up one of the two goals scored to beat New Zealand.
He’s now in with a chance to play for the Socceroos at the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
“He’s very unique, he reminds me of a tricky winger with very good feet,” Marshall said.
“When I was playing I used to feel the pressure, it doesn’t seem he does feel the pressure.
“Some people can put it on but he’s not like that.
“(He’s like) if I make a mistake I want the ball at my feet.
“Even though I make two or three mistakes I know I can change the game.
“I think that’s where he is different to other kids I’ve coached and it will take him a long way.”
Marshall said his performances and career would put Shepparton on the map.
“Everyone who had a part of Garang’s journey, through to grassroots, to GV Suns, to Central Coast, should be proud of what he’s done so far,” he said.
“We know the family well and they support their boys well.
“And they should be proud of the man he’s became.
“It’s a great story for Shepparton and everyone should get behind him.”
Big week for Shepparton.
Kuol’s impending move is not only the major news coming out of the city this week.
Shepparton next week will host the Young Socceroos as they play in the under-17 Asian Cup qualifiers, looking to make the Asian Cup which doubles as qualifiers for next year’s under-17 World Cup.
The city will host the group stage featuring Australia, Cambodia, China and the North Mariana Islands.
If Australia finishes on top it will make the under-17 Asian Cup.
A second-place finish could also be enough.
This is the first time Shepparton has hosted international matches after holding A-League and W-League matches before.
“Hopefully everyone can get behind the under-17 Aussie team and watch some good soccer with international teams,” Marshall said.
“It’s a soccer town, you still have your footy and everyone loves their footy (AFL) in the country towns, but soccer is a big part of the town as well.’’
Marshall said the GV Suns have been working with Football Federation Australia and the council to make sure the event runs smoothly.
But the club is looking for volunteers and ball boys to help during the event.
Those interested can contact the club through their Facebook page.
Australia will play North Mariana Islands on October 5 before facing Cambodia on October 7 and China on October 9.
The other matches will see China face Cambodia on October 5, China face North Mariana Islands on October 7 and Cambodia face North Mariana Islands on October 9.
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