When Garang Kuol blasted a shot into the net late in his team's 3-1 victory over Ecuador on Friday night, Australian football fans hoped it would be the first of many more goals for their nation. However, one of his teammates wasn't at all impressed.
When he finished off a move begun by Manchester City's Alex Robertson, who was making his debut, the 18-year-old became the fourth-youngest player to score for the Australian national team.
Replays revealed that he might have been slightly offside when he scored, but as VAR wasn't in use during the friendly, the goal remained.
Kuol's teammate Jason Cummings grabbed him from behind and said, "Hey, Garangski - it was offside!" as Kuol was being questioned on the field following the siren.
The Scottish-born striker, who was unable to take the pitch at CommBank Stadium, made the remark, which was dismissed by the teenager.
Kuol and Robertson both demonstrated why Graham Arnold's team could have a bright future when the Socceroos' more seasoned stars move on. Kuol, who came close to scoring what would have been a stunning goal in Australia's loss to Argentina in last year's World Cup, joined Robertson in this regard.
These senior lads are essential to everything; they must set the example, and Arnold noted that they did so admirably.
Let's not overreact; these kids need a ton of practice and game time at their clubs.
These young athletes had never faced South American opposition, but I was quite pleased with young Alex and Aiden O'Neill's performance.
"It's nice that these little lads are touching the larger boys on the shoulder."
The only member of Arnold's starting lineup who did not participate in the World Cup was Melbourne City midfielder O'Neill, and because of this, Australia were able to immediately find their rhythm.
Mitch Duke had a full night of work and assisted in preparing Irvine for Australia's opening match.
In the 12th minute, Duke slipped to turn a Craig Goodwin free kick back across the six-yard box, and Irvine was given the easiest task to tap in.
Despite Duke being offside according to replays, Australia led since VAR wasn't in place.
A swift response from Ecuador was provided by defender Felix Torres' well-placed header.
Yet when Australia's high push caught the visitors off guard at the back, they were able to quickly regain the advantage.
In order to set up Mabil in the area, midfielder Irvine had to steal the ball from the harassing Piero Hincape.
Australia appeared hopeful as the winger drove the ball into the goal.
The attacker could consider himself unlucky not to have scored on his return to Sydney's west because Duke was at his bustling best.
At the cost of Wanderers forward Brandon Borrello and Robertson, the forward was substituted for shortly after the hour mark.
On his first Socceroos appearance, Robertson, who has yet to start a senior game for Manchester City, looked confident, and it was his deft build-up play that sparked a move for Kuol's goal.
When Robertson reached Aziz Behich, whose cross was tapped in by Kuol, they exchanged passes along the way.
In the second friendly matchup against Ecuador on Tuesday in Melbourne, Arnold stated that he will probably make changes.
Arnold remarked, "It's a fun game, but it's about teaching the kids what we want from them."
blogpay
Total Comments: 0