Socceroo Jason Cummings takes the gloss off Garang Kuol’s first goal with a very cheeky remark

Garang Kuol scored the first of what Aussie football fans hope will be many more goals for his country when he pushed a shot into the net late in his team’s 3-1 victory over Ecuador on Friday night – but one of his teammates wasn’t impressed at all.

The 18-year-old became the fourth-youngest player to score for the Australian national team when he finished off a move started by Manchester City’s Alex Robertson, who was on debut.

However, replays showed that he appeared to have been marginally offside when he slotted the ball home – but with no VAR in operation during the friendly, the goal stood.

The 18-year-old became the fourth-youngest player to score for Australia when he slotted the ball home late in the 3-1 victory over Ecuador on Friday night

Kuol was being interviewed on the pitch after the siren when his teammate Jason Cummings grabbed him from behind and said, ‘Hey, Garangski – it was offside!’

The teenager laughed off the remark from the Scottish-born striker, who didn’t make it onto the field at CommBank Stadium.

Kuol – who came close to scoring what would have been a stunning goal in Australia’s loss to Argentina in last year’s World Cup – joined Robertson in showing why Graham Arnold’s side could have a bright future when the Socceroos’ more experienced stars move on.

‘It’s these senior boys that are crucial to all that, they’ve got to lead the way and they did that very well,’ Arnold said.

‘Let’s not get carried away – these kids need a heap of experience and plenty of game time at their clubs.

Kuol (pictured celebrating his goal with Marco Tilio) finished off a move started by another very promising youngster, Manchester City’s Alex Robertson

‘These kids haven’t played against South American teams before but I was very happy with young Alex and Aiden O’Neill was very good.

‘These young boys are tapping the older boys on the shoulder, which is great.’

Melbourne City midfielder O’Neill was the only player in Arnold’s starting XI who didn’t go to the World Cup and the familiarity allowed Australia to quickly get into their rhythm.

Mitch Duke was busy all night and he helped set up Irvine for Australia’s opener.

Duke slid low to turn a Craig Goodwin free kick back across the six-yard box in the 12th minute and Irvine was given the simplest job to tap in.

Replays showed Duke was offside, but with no VAR in use, Australia had the lead.

Robertson (pictured with fans after the game) could play for England, Scotland or Peru, but chose Australia

Ecuador responded quickly with a well-taken header from defender Felix Torres.

But Australia were able to storm back into the lead when their high press caught the visitors out at the back.

Defender Piero Hincape had a ball snatched off him by a hassling Irvine and the midfielder was able to tee Mabil up in the box.

The winger powered the ball into the back of the net and Australia looked promising.

Duke was at his bustling best and the forward could consider himself unlucky to have not scored on his return to Sydney’s west.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold singled out Aiden O’Neill for special praise after the game

The forward was taken off soon after the hour mark with hardworking midfielder Keanu Baccus at the expense Wanderers forward Brandon Borrello and Robertson.

Robertson, who has yet to start a senior game for Manchester City, looked assured on his maiden Socceroos outing and it was his intricate build-up play that began a move for Kuol’s goal.

Robertson charged down the left exchanging passes on the way before finding Aziz Behich, whose cross was tapped in by Kuol.

Arnold said he was likely to make changes in the second friendly against Ecuador in Melbourne on Tuesday.

‘It’s a friendly game but it’s about getting the kids to learn what we want from them,’ Arnold said.

‘Ecuador were a good team and I’m very happy with the way the boys played.’