After a lacklustre first half, the Socceroos turned it on in the International friendly against New Zealand at Eden Park on Sunday September 25, beating their trans-Tasman rivals 2-0 … and it was Mariners duo, Jason Cummings and Garang Kuol, who created most of the excitement.
After a strong build up in the first eight minutes of the second half it was former Mariner and Western Sydney Wanderers captain, Mitchell Duke, who put the Socceroos in front with sharp header off a perfect, curving Connor Metcalfe cross.
At the 62nd minute, Cummings was subbed on, followed soon after by the arrival of teenage sensation, Garang Kuol, to replace Marco Tilio.
Kuol made headlines earlier this week after being called up for the Socceroos despite never once being in the run-on side for an A-League match as well as for reportedly signing a large deal with EPL heavyweights, Newcastle United.
At just 18 years of age, Kuol is the youngest Socceroo debutante since Harry Kewell in 1996.
Within minutes Kuol made a scintillating run down the left wing, wrong-footing defenders, before charging into the box and laying the ball off for Riley McGree in the middle.
While McGree’s shot was deflected by a defender, a second shot by Cummings drew a handball from New Zealand’s Cacace.
Cummings was given a penalty which he punched into the back of the net.
The match then became the Kuol and Cummings show with both players creating scoring opportunities from nothing.
The performance from the two super-subs will give Coach Graham Arnold plenty to think about over the next month or so before he selects his final 26-player World Cup squad.
“I’m really proud of those young boys,” Arnold said on Network 10.
“I’ll go back and review it and have a close look at things before I’d say publicly, but it’s refreshing to see the young faces – their energy was fantastic.
“It’s great that they’re knocking on the door.”
CCN
CCN