Australian forward Alou Kuol has been nominated for the Puskas Award, which is given out annually for the best goal in world football.
His extraordinary scorpion kick for Australia’s under-23s against Iraq is among the 11 nominees, alongside some of the world’s best players including Kylian Mbappe’s screamer in the World Cup final, and Richarlison’s remarkable effort in the group stage against Serbia.
In other positive news for the Kuol family, Australia’s trio of talents at Scottish club Hearts will become a quartet, with Alou’s brother Garang set to join the club on loan until the rest of the season.
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The highly-rated teenager was snapped up by EPL powerhouses Newcastle United , who have immediately sent him out to get first team experience elsewhere.
There aren’t many places in Europe that would fit better – as the former Mariners star will get the chance to link up with three countrymen in Kye Rowles, Cammy Devlin, and Nathaniel Atkinson – all of whom he trained alongside in Qatar.
”It’s fantastic news that Garang has committed himself to Hearts for the next six months,” manager Robbie Neilson said.
“It’s no secret that we were extremely interested in him and he came up for a look around last week. He was impressed with what he saw and what we’re trying to do here, which is pleasing.”
Kuol was used off the bench by Graham Arnold in the World Cup, playing 16 minutes in the defeat against France and another 18 in the Socceroos narrow loss to eventual champions Argentina.
“We’re getting a player who is by no means the finished article but there is a lot of talent there – you don’t get called up to and play in the World Cup for nothing,” Neilson said.
“He’ll offer us new options going forward as we look to continue our good form and continue to make progress in the league and in the Scottish Cup, and we’re really looking forward to working with him.”
Hearts currently sit in third place in the Scottish Premier League with 32 points, but are a massive 26 points behind Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic, who lead the division on 58 points, ahead of arch-rivals Rangers on 49.
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