“Nah,he was chill about it. He was just happy for me.”

None of this will come as any surprise to those who have closely watched his remarkable rise from the Central Coast Mariners’ youth team toearning rich praise from the likes of Xavi and Dwight Yorke,andinterest from some of Europe’s top clubs – including English Premier League side Newcastle United,who sources have told theHerald are close to stitching up a deal for him that would take effect in the January transfer window.

Kuol still hasn’t started a game at A-League level or put together a full 90 minutes,but has come off the bench and changed pretty much every game he’s been involved in,to the point where Socceroos coach Graham Arnold admitted he simply had to take a closer look as he sorts through his attacking options.

“As Garang said,it’s an opportunity for himself. You can tell by his answer how much he believes in himself,” Arnold said.

“It’s an area of the pitch where we need players. Up front,the winger with the one-v-one action and pace and can put the ball in the back of the net – we’re always looking for those type of players. I don’t care what age they are,as long as they’ve got the ability and quality,I’m more than prepared to look at them.”

Including a player of such raw talent at a World Cup is not unprecedented for Australia,after Daniel Arzani was picked for Russia 2018 off the back of limited minutes in the A-League for Melbourne City,and then came off the bench three times in that tournament. Arzani,whose career has stalled since then,is now at Macarthur FC and on standby for the Socceroos should injury strike.

“I think at this level of being an athlete,mentality is key,” Kuol said.

“Regardless of age,if you just go in full guns blazing wanting to prove yourself,and be ruthless,you can achieve whatever you want.

“It’s a huge privilege to be here. It’s a proud moment for me and my family. I just want to prove myself and keep moving forward.”

Kuol is part of an influx of new faces and surprise call-ups from Arnold,who is intent on keeping Australia’s incumbent stars on their toes ahead of next week’s friendlies against New Zealand and has thus selected seven possible debutants. Kuol’s strike partner at the Mariners,Scottish-born Jason Cummings,is also in the squad,as are Scottish Premiership trioCameron Devlin,Ryan Strain and Keanu Baccus,Fulham’s on-loan midfielder Tyrese Francois and ex-Melbourne City defender Harrison Delbridge.

Arnold has also coaxedarguably Australia’s most in-form goalkeeper over the last few years,Mitch Langerak,out of retirement to challenge skipper Mat Ryan,who left Real Sociedad for Copenhagen in search of club minutes in the lead-up to Qatar.

Most of the players who got the Socceroos past Peru and into the World Cup have been named,although those left out are not necessarily out of Arnold’s plans,since he already knows what they can all do.

Arnold intends on fielding two entirely different teams in Brisbane next Thursday night and in Auckland three days later to expose as many players as possible to international level in search of depth and extra weaponry,although he will only be able to name 26 players for his final World Cup squad.

One player who won’t be facing the All Whites is Tom Rogic,who has just ended the mystery over his footballing future by signing for West Bromwich Albion,and has signalled his desire to play for the Socceroos again to Arnold.

But he hasn’t explained why he missed the World Cup play-offs against the UAE and Peru in June – and,according to Arnold,doesn’t have to.

“The most important thing for me is he’s happy. He’s just got to get on the field,get training,get playing and perform. We need our best players,” he said.

Watch every match of theUEFA Champions League,UEFA Europa League andUEFA Europa Conference League on Stan Sport. Matchday 2 continues withManchester City v Dortmund (Thursday 4.35am AEST).