A Shepparton soccer star will be among some of Asia’s brightest young talent for the next 19 days, with the AFC U23 Asian Cup getting under way in Uzbekistan this evening.
Former Goulburn Valley Sun Alou Kuol will be pulling on the green and gold of Australia for the under-23 tournament, with the German-based goal-scorer part of an Australian squad that will be looking to go all the way.
Held across 19 days, Australia will face Kuwait on June 1, Iraq on June 4 and Jordan on June 7 in the group stage, before the knockout stages start.
Speaking to the Football Australia Podcast, Kuol said his move to Germany had helped his game improve.
“I’ve just been working on some areas of my game that I’m not so good at. Training under good coaches, with good stuff and getting better every day,” Kuol said.
“We want to grow and perform as a team, really get in there as a group and fight for each other, win for each other and for the badge.”
Kuol, who scored for Australia against the Netherlands in a Talent ID camp earlier this year, will be keen to perform well, and with Australia’s best young stars on his team anything is possible.
Australia’s Asian Cup campaign begins today at 11pm, with all the action broadcast on streaming service Paramount Plus.