Soon-to-be Newcastle United striker Garang Kuol has been named on the substitutes' bench for Australia's opening match against reigning world champions France in Group D of 2022 World Cup.
The 18-year-old has just one senior cap for the Socceroos after making his debut earlier this year and is the second-youngest player at the tournament.
If Kuol does get a chance to play tonight and impresses, it's entirely possible he'll be chosen to play against either Tunisia later this week or Denmark next week in their remaining Group D matches.
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Former Brighton duo Aaron Mooy and Matt Ryan are amongst the starters for the Socceroos in a match which could have big ramifications for Group D after Denmark and Tunisia's 0-0 draw earlier this afternoon.
It's not a massive surprise that Kuol isn't starting for Australia this evening, as he's not made a single start for his current club Central Coast Mariners this season, but he has been in rich form when he has played.
In just 60 minutes of football this month across two sub appearances, Kuol has netted twice and found two assists after coming on later into the match - something we could see Socceroos boss Graham Arnold try to break down a possibly-weary French defence.
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