In the 1990s, Shepparton’s Robert Enes broke through as a youngster and became a Socceroo — this year Garang Kuol has done the same.
Last year Kuol joined the Central Coast Mariners Academy at the age of 17, when Enes finished Year 10 he made the move to Melbourne to play for National Soccer League club Preston.
The parallels are almost undeniable and despite Enes’ team failing to qualify for the 1998 World Cup in France, he was full of praise for Shepparton’s newest star.
“To be acknowledged and identified from a regional area in itself is a massive challenge,” Enes said.
‘’I’m proud of him.
‘’Kuol has got great talent; he’s sharp, he’s quick, he’s got a good footballing brain and he’s got a massive future ahead of him.
“I think if he has the passion for it and moving to the UK now at his age that’s a massive benefit for him because he’ll get great coaching at a great set-up.”
While the pair took different journeys — and Kuol’s has been accelerated — the similarities are profound.
Both have now played at a major tournament, with Enes playing for the Olyroos at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and Kuol coming off the bench in Australia’s opening 2022 World Cup match in Qatar on Wednesday.
Even though the Olympics is a youth tournament and the World Cup the sport’s show-piece event, both provide a once in a lifetime experience.
“The Olympics were great, it was a wonderful experience being in the national team set-up, getting to see and feel what the Olympics is all about,” Enes said.
“There’s nothing more spine-tingling than standing in front of a crowd before a game and the national anthem is blaring — that is something I’ve never been able to replicate in my life, it’s very special, it’s an absolute honour.
“That team bond is again something you never get to replicate in your life again, it’s a very special moment to be part of that set-up.”
Enes’ Shepparton connection is not his only link to the Socceroos’ squad currently in Qatar.
Enes played alongside and shared a room with current coach Graham Arnold during the 1998 World Cup qualifying stages.
“We were actually roommates for that whole qualifying period, so every trip we went on I was in the room with good old Arnie,” he said.
Now working in real estate in Melbourne, Enes is sure to be tuned in to the Socceroos’ next game, with the side battling Tunisia at the Al Janoub Stadium.
Set to take place at 9pm on Saturday Australian time, this game will provide the perfect opportunity for supporters across the nation to catch the match — and hopefully a trademark Kuol goal.
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