Newcastle United wonderkid Garang Kuol is on the bench once again as Australia face Argentina for place in the World Cup quarter-final. The Socceroos booked their place in the knockout round with a surprise victory over Denmark in their final Group D clash on Wednesday.
Kuol is set to join the Magpies in January from Central Coast Mariners, with a deal for the promising forward announced in September. The A-League wonderkid is yet to make a start for the A-League outfit this season, but was a wildcard selection for Graham Arnold's side in Qatar.
Kuol made his senior debut in a friendly victory over New Zealand three months ago, and became Australia's youngest-ever representative at World Cup with a cameo in their opening defeat to France. The 18-year-old has since been an unused substitute for the narrow wins over Tunisia and Australia, and is again on the bench for the Saturday night encounter with Argentina.
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Arnold made just one change for the round-of-16 tie at Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium, with Keanu Baccus replacing Craig Goodwin. The victors will face the Netherlands in the quarter-final on Friday night, after Louis van Gaal's side earned a 3-1 victory over the USA.
Argentina starting XI: Martinez; Molina, Otamendi, Romero, Acuna; Mac Allister, Fernandez, De Paul; Alvarez, Messi, Gomez
Australia starting XI: Ryan; Degenek, Souttar, Rowles, Behich; Mooy; Leckie, Irvine, McGree, Baccus; Duke
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