Both have been named in the wider 28-man Olyroos squad in preparation for next month’s Maurice Revello Tournament, a step in the qualification campaign for Paris 2024.
Garang, 18, has been listed in the 23-strong group locked in for the tournament, held in France from June 6-18, while his older sibling Alou has been announced as one of five train-on selections for the pre-tournament camp from May 26-June 1.
The Olyroos have been placed in Group B of the 12-nation tournament, set to take on Qatar, Togo and Mexico.
Coach Tony Vidmar said the upcoming games were crucial in the context of earning passage to next year’s Olympic Games.
“The Maurice Revello Tournament is vitally important to our preparations for September’s U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers, as this will be our last real activity, competition-wise,” Vidmar said.
“We will face three different types of opposition during the group stage and could potentially play up to five matches in the space of a fortnight, subjecting the players to similar tournament conditions we will face during September’s qualifiers and next year’s Asian Cup should we qualify.
“We head to France with an intent to win and will use every opportunity to gain valuable experience leading into the qualifiers.”
For the Kuol brothers, national duty could not have come at a better time.
Garang has been starved of game time at loan club Hearts in Scotland, while little talk has emerged of Alou, 21, since he debuted for German Bundesliga outfit VfB Stuttgart in January this year.
It was his only senior appearance in more than two years at the club.
However, the Kuol name on a green and gold jersey is a match made in heaven, with the brothers seeming to shine brightest when representing their home nation.
Garang scored his debut Socceroos goal on March 24 in a friendly against Ecuador, while Alou’s sensational scorpion kick for the Olyroos during last year’s AFC Under-23 Asian Cup gained a nomination for the coveted Puskas Award, bestowed to the scorer of the most beautiful goal of the calendar year.
The upcoming camp and tournament is a prime chance for the Kuols to regroup in a familiar environment and do what they do best in Australian colours.
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