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ALM young guns get shot against Barcelona

3 minute read

The A-League Men All Stars squad to face Barcelona will give two teenagers, Garang Kuol and Nestory Irankunda, a chance to show what they can do.

Teen sensations Garang Kuol and Nestory Irankunda are among the talented young Australians who will get to show their wares against Barcelona after being named in the A-League Men All Stars squad.

A-Leagues commissioner Greg O'Rourke picked Mariners revelation Kuol and Wellington playmaker Reno Piscopo to join the squad of 30 for Wednesday's game at Accor Stadium.

Melbourne City and Socceroos young gun Marco Tilio, 20, has also been selected.

Kuol, the 17-year-old brother of former Mariners star Alou Kuol, has scored four goals for Central Coast and has consistently provided spark and class off the bench, while 23-year-old Piscopo was Wellington's main creative outlet.

Adelaide's Irankunda, 16, has impressed with his ability to score brilliant goals late in cameo appearances.

"We want to show the world how much young talent we have in the A-Leagues, and both Garang and Reno have produced some extraordinary moments this season," O'Rourke said.

"It's important that as well as some of our decorated, experienced stars, we put the next generation in the spotlight - and to earn their places, both have shown fans what they can do this year.

"Last year we saw Alou Kuol take the A-League by storm, and now his brother is threatening to do the same, while Reno Piscopo is an Olyroo with great vision and ability."

Socceroos aspirant Jason Cummings, who starred at Central Coast, has also been included.

The team is otherwise headlined by established Socceroos, including golden boot winner Jamie Maclaren.

Up to seven players will be unavailable due to the upcoming ALM grand final depending on who qualifies out of Melbourne City, Adelaide, Melbourne Victory and Western United.

Of the 30-man squad, 13 players were fan-voted, 15 were selected by coach Dwight Yorke and his Australian-based coaching panel and Piscopo and Kuol were picked by O'Rourke.

A-LEAGUE ALL STARS SQUAD

Nestory Irankunda, Isaias, Craig Goodwin, Scott Neville, Jay O'Shea, Garang Kuol, Kye Rowles, Jason Cummings, Filip Kurto (GK), Adrian Mariappa, Marco Tilio, Mathew Leckie, Jamie Maclaren, Curtis Good, Jake Brimmer, Roderick Miranda, Jason Davidson, Daniel Penha, Beka Mikeltadze, Callum Timmins, Andrew Redmayne (GK), Anthony Caceres, Rhyan Grant, Milos Ninkovic, Reno Piscopo, Jack Rodwell, Adama Traore, Ben Garuccio, Leo Lacroix, Jamie Young (GK)

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