Garang Kuol made his World Cup debut for Australia tonight as the Socceroos were soundly defeated by defending champions France 4-1. Kuol came on in the 73rd minute for Craig Goodwin as part of a double switch.
The match started auspiciously for the Aussies as they took the lead through Goodwin in the 9th minute. France soon found their form with a header from Adrien Rabiot to level the match in the 27th minute.
Olivier Giroud put France ahead after Rabiot played provider with a pass into the box that was slotted into the net by the former Gunner. The half ended with France holding the 2-1 advantage.
In the 68th minute, Kylian Mbappe added France’s third with a header. Soon after, it was Mbappe’s turn to provide for Giroud as his cross was headed home by the striker to make it 4-1.
It was at that point that Kuol came into the fray along with fellow Sudanese refugee Awer Mabil. Despite being up by three goals, France pushed for another which meant Kuol had few opportunities to impress on his debut.
Loading ...
110 comments so far
Unused Substitute
Nov 23, 2022 at 9:56 AM
Comment #81While Kuol’is performance was so-so, his outing must be counted as a learning experience.
Toon fans bad
Nov 23, 2022 at 9:56 AM
Comment #82niafron,
Your defence and some of your midfield are weak. They will struggle to generate plays when pressed. Think you need Varane on there to marshall the workload pal. Is he tits up?
I agree that too high a press won’t work against Mbappe and Dembele, get ripped a new one! Too dangerous.
Fullbacks need help from the widemen in front of them to try and deal with the Mbappe and Dembele threat. Dembele looks like a real worldy to me, 1st time I’ve watched him at length.
Teams try and double or treble up on Mbappe to try and stop him and the space that will leave for others will be the key. If Griezman gets back to chipping in with goals you probably should go all the way.
Interesting tournament pal.
The Taco Taker
Nov 23, 2022 at 9:57 AM
Comment #83Keeping an eye on Sosa in this one.
Wor B
Nov 23, 2022 at 9:57 AM
Comment #84No to indyref2…
Supreme Court judgement
“The Scottish Parliament has no powers to legislate where matters are reserved to the UK parliament, including the union between Scotland and England”
She’s not gonna be happy.
Toon fans bad
Nov 23, 2022 at 9:58 AM
Comment #85Copper roof, damp basement
Wor B
Nov 23, 2022 at 10:06 AM
Comment #86Pep signs contract extension to 2025
niafron
Nov 23, 2022 at 10:18 AM
Comment #87@TFB
Good question about Varane… he’s now awaited like the Messiah, but considering how we are lucky with injuries, i don’t hope too much…
CLINT FLICK
Nov 23, 2022 at 10:19 AM
Comment #88Worb
I wonder if the snp consider themselves nationalist AND socialist?
Eeek!
CLINT FLICK
Nov 23, 2022 at 10:20 AM
Comment #89Niafron
France look good up front…bit weak in midfield, tho.
Toon fans bad
Nov 23, 2022 at 10:20 AM
Comment #90Look decent the Morocco like
CLINT FLICK
Nov 23, 2022 at 10:21 AM
Comment #91Taco
Sosa looks soso!
😉
CLINT FLICK
Nov 23, 2022 at 10:22 AM
Comment #92Howay Maroc
Toon fans bad
Nov 23, 2022 at 10:24 AM
Comment #93I know a shed load of Scots and none of them have got a good word to say about Mrs Krankie!
niafron
Nov 23, 2022 at 10:25 AM
Comment #94Yeah, France and Morocco, two intense emotions in a row for me!
But indeed, nice start of the Atlas Lions… they need to score now.
niafron
Nov 23, 2022 at 10:27 AM
Comment #95@CLINT FLICK
Well, Rabiot was really interesting, honnestly, like Dembélé, i didn’t expect him to be so good.
But yes, we need a better Griezman and a better Tchouaméni if we want to hope something.
Bills Son Is Back
Nov 23, 2022 at 10:30 AM
Comment #96Odd how posters watching the same player can have polar opposite views.
Assassins thinks Kuol was sh*t scared when he came on, I thought the opposite,
Sh*t scared to me means hiding from the ball or passing as soon as you get it.
Kuol was always looking for the ball, tried to rake on defenders at least half the time he got a pass, and never looked afraid at all to me.
Making your international debut in the WC at just 18 after playing in a low quality league against France at 3-1 down is some tough gig.
I defo saw enough to see why we’ve taken a punt on him.
Bills Son Is Back
Nov 23, 2022 at 10:33 AM
Comment #97The big thing for me so far in the WC is how the press is being used by the underdog teams.
Saudi Arabia were brilliant at it.
CLINT FLICK
Nov 23, 2022 at 10:35 AM
Comment #98Niafron
Tea, La France looked relieved to get past Aussie. Not a good sign… for France!
They have a soft center, which is good for others to exploit. Tho’, i wouldn’t rule them out. Be interesting to see what Brazil and Germany look like.
Would like to see Maroc crush the fascist Croats.
CLINT FLICK
Nov 23, 2022 at 10:37 AM
Comment #99Kuol looked at hyem in a big game.
hibbit
Nov 23, 2022 at 10:41 AM
Comment #100i agree with Bill on this one, saw enough to see why we’ve taken a punt on him.
but he’s a long way from a work permit and playing for us, but good luck to him in his effort in getting one,
CLINT FLICK
Nov 23, 2022 at 10:43 AM
Comment #101…in fact…
Kuol looked qual!
😀
Toon fans bad
Nov 23, 2022 at 11:19 AM
Comment #102Great for Kuol’s development, being involved on the biggest stage so early in his career. He appears to have the ability. When he goes on loan he’ll be watching the Toon games and he’ll know he’ll have to tick the permit boxes to set foot on the St James’ turf. He’s got the objective. Gives us something else to follow, to see how he’s getting on wherever he goes. He must have the drive as he’s knocked down a few doors already.
Really interesting stuff.
lochinvar
Nov 23, 2022 at 11:20 AM
Comment #103Mrs Krankie is trying to lead Scotland down a rabbit hole.
NHS Scotland is a disaster zone, once the pride of the world.
Housing stock is gash.
Transport infrastructure in chaos.
Edinburgh tram fiasco.
CalMac ferry building disaster.
Schools, teaching, police not good.
And the politicians surrounding her mired in controversy to put it mildly.
Novocastrian66
Nov 23, 2022 at 11:26 AM
Comment #104Jon Hartson commentary is shocking. I’m not sure who is worse, Hartson or Dion Dublin.
They both played for Coventry City. I wonder if that has anything to do with it.
CLINT FLICK
Nov 23, 2022 at 11:29 AM
Comment #105Novo
Maybe they both need sending back there?
😉
Mort
Nov 23, 2022 at 11:33 AM
Comment #106Someone doesn’t know their geography. I’m sure Tunisia and Morocco are in Africa not the Mena region
Novocastrian66
Nov 23, 2022 at 11:33 AM
Comment #107The thing with the SNP is they are a one trick pony. They do not have a strategy beyond independence. If Scotland did become independent they wouldn’t know what to do.
Hollyrood would look like the scene in Lawrence of Arabia when all the Arab tribes arrive in Damascus and they are all arguing who does what.
The SNP are conning a large percentage of the Scottish population. They know independence won’t work.
Novocastrian66
Nov 23, 2022 at 11:37 AM
Comment #108Mort; MENA is an acronym for Middle East & North Africa.
Marocco and Tunisia are in North Africa.
Clint; Wouldn’t be a bad idea.
JohnJ
Nov 23, 2022 at 11:50 AM
Comment #109The Bus has moved on!
CLINT FLICK
Nov 23, 2022 at 11:51 AM
Comment #110Novo
Agreed re: snp.
And mena!
😀