Shepparton’s Garang Kuol has kicked into life at his new club, awarded his first start for Sparta Prague at the weekend as he featured in the side’s 2-1 victory over Mladá Boleslav in the Czech First League.
In icy conditions, Kuol played 76 minutes on the wing for the Czech club, marking his most notable contribution to Sparta since joining from English Premier League juggernaut Newcastle United in late August.
“I can barely talk right now, my mouth is struggling to move,” Kuol said in a post-match interview as temperatures dropped to -1 degree.
“I'm going step by step. Instead of hanging my head that I'm not playing, I try to maintain good morale.
“I continue to work hard and train. When I went into the line-up, I felt good. I didn't feel the need to look around. I'm satisfied.”
Like most of his European career to date, Kuol has been forced to bide his time at Sparta Prague.
Since moving to the Czechia capital, the 21-year-old has appeared off the bench on four occasions in regular season and Europa Conference League competitions.
But on Sunday, he was at his high-voltage best.
Kuol was in on the action inside five minutes, flashing a ball across the face of the box that was begging to be tapped home at the back post.
In the second half, he nicked a loose pass on the halfway line and surged down the wing, crossing to a teammate whose shot was smartly saved by the keeper.
Though Kuol was replaced with 15 minutes to play, his electric performance gives Sparta manager Brian Priske plenty of reasons to start him again, something assistant coach Diarmuid O'Carroll brought up before the match.
“I know him well from Newcastle. He is tremendously fast, straightforward and handy,” O’Carroll said.
“He can score a goal and we believe he will give the team a new impetus.”
Meanwhile, Kuol’s older brother Alou aided his new club to its first win of the A-League campaign on Saturday.
Kuol suited up in Western Sydney Wanderers’ 3-2 victory over Central Coast Mariners - the club where both brothers cut their teeth - and played a role in his side’s opener inside a minute.
The Wanderers now sit ninth out of 12, five games into the A-League season, with a 1-2-2 ledger.
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