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Garang sets Hearts aflutter with last-minute equaliser

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Heartstopper: Garang Kuol has been loaned to Hearts of Midlothian from Newcastle for the rest of the season. Photo: Hearts FC

In the dying seconds of extra time against eventual champion Argentina in the 2022 World Cup, Garang Kuol fired a shot towards La Albiceleste keeper Emiliano Martinez’s left side.

That kick inside the penalty area — nearly the last of the game — was deflected, letting Lionel Messi’s men power their way through to a third World Cup win for Argentina.

Six months later, Kuol found himself in almost the exact same position lining up for Hearts in the top-tier of the Scottish competition against Rangers.

His side down 2-1. A few seconds left on the clock. The ball in his control, a defender and a goalkeeper between him and the back of the net.

This time, the Shepparton prodigy fired a bullet past the right side — the goal side — of the falling Allan McGregor to level the scores.

Kuol was mobbed by jubilant Jambos fans with bear hugs after he raced to the fence, yet another Australian bringing joy to Scottish football.

It was the rising star’s first goal in European football after coming on in the 83rd minute for Hearts in his eighth league appearance.

The draw means Hearts can’t take third place, meaning they need to avoid a loss this weekend against Hibs to secure a place in the Europa League.

Lawrence Shankland put Hearts in front in the opening minute, but Todd Cantwell and Fashion Sakala scored for second-place Rangers either side of the break.

Hearts manager Steven Naismith said it was an entertaining clash, but was annoyed for conceding two “really soft” goals.

"It's really disappointing because we've not had to ask them to make hard decisions to break us down or create with great chances,“ he said.

“We gave them cheap chances and they took them.

"The positive part is that we came with a style of play, we tried to play in that way we were disciplined out of possession.

“I felt we were brave throughout the 90 minutes, but just lacked that cutting edge and went right to the end."

Meanwhile in local round ball news, the Goulburn Valley Suns found out who they will take on in round seven of the Australian Cup.

The Suns will take on Hume City for a chance to book a spot into the national round of 32 stage and keep the magic of the Cup alive.

Hume City currently sits mid-table in NPL1.

Before the NPL3 outfit welcomes Hume City next month, the Suns play host to ladder leader Melbourne Victory in a crucial clash at McEwen Reserve on Saturday.