The Central Coast Mariners would like to congratulate Garang Kuol, Jason Cummings and Danny Vukovic on their selection in the Socceroos squad for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The trio have been pivotal in the Mariners recent form, all playing a vital role in returning the Mariners to competing with the very best in the A-League.
Vukovic has been a part of one previous World Cup squad, being included in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The shot stopper was with the squad throughout the whole qualification process for this tournament, earning his spot as one of the leaders of the group.
After leaving Genk following four successful years, the goalkeeper had a brief layover in Holland before reuniting with the Mariners this season.
He was awarded the A-League men’s captaincy for this campaign after the retirement of club legend Matt Simon, providing an experienced head in a youthful playing group.
He has already shown his class, pulling off multiple top class saves to begin this season. He has been a martial at the back, helping the side keep a remarkable clean sheet against the formerly undefeated Western Sydney Wanderers last weekend.
Vukovic has been rewarded for his commitment to the Socceroos, long term success and goalkeeping abilities with his second World Cup position.
Cummings first made his Mariners debut in round 12 last season, transferring from Dundee United. The striker would get on the scoresheet in his very first appearance, slotting one past Sydney FC in the 57th minute.
The forward has so far scored an additional 11 goals for the club, totalling 12 in the jersey across 25 appearances.
After the success of last season, Cummings went on to make his Socceroos debut in September 2022, scoring from the penalty spot against New Zealand.
Since the start of the A-League this season, the forward has continued his red-hot form, scoring twice and adding a further three assists in four matches. These statistics do not include the three goals that have been narrowly ruled out.
After signing for the Mariners in the middle of the 2021/22 A-League season, Cummings has proven that he is one of the best strikers in Australia, earning his spot in the squad for Qatar.
Kuol has been at the centre of one of the most meteoric rises Australian football has ever seen, only debuting against APIA Leichhardt in December last year.
Since scoring in that FFA Cup match, the forward has proven to be one of the most damaging impact players in the A-League, turning into the definition of a match winner.
Four goals, countless assists and numerous dazzling runs later, Kuol was rewarded with a spot in the A-League All-Star squad to take on Spanish giants FC Barcelona.
The teenager tore apart the five-time Champions League winners, almost scoring twice off the back of spectacular runs that left his opponents helpless.
That performance was enough to seal a Socceroos call up and a move to Premier League giants Newcastle United within a week.
Since returning to the A-League this season, Kuol has been a game changer, helping to spark Mariners victories against Western United and Western Sydney.
His two assists to fellow substitute Michael Ruhs last weekend sealed his position in the World Cup squad, joining the side as one of the most exciting youth prospects of the entire competition.
The trio will head off to Qatar next week as they prepare to take on the world. The Mariners family cannot wait to watch the three of them and wish them the very best throughout the tournament.
