Happy days: Garang Kuol scored the winner against Western United. Photo: AAP Image/Scott Gardiner
Photo by
SCOTT GARDINER
Shepparton soccer export Garang Kuol came up with the goods late on Saturday afternoon, scoring the winning goal for the Central Coast Mariners against Western United in the A-League Men’s competition.
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With scores locked at nil-all, time running out and a position in the finals still in the balance, Mariners coach Nick Montgomery looked to the bench for inspiration.
In the 74th minute former Goulburn Valley Suns junior Kuol came on to the field, before making an immediate impact on the scoreboard in the 81st minute.
Some smart passing play from the Mariners saw the side switch the ball to Kuol at the edge of the box.
Kuol then composed himself before curling a left foot strike into the bottom left corner and sending the Central Coast Stadium into raptures.
Speaking to Paramount Plus post game, Kuol said he was really happy the Mariners got the win.
Party time: Garang Kuol celebrates his goal with Mariners teammates. Photo: AAP Image/Scott Gardiner
Photo by
SCOTT GARDINER
“This is an important result,” Kuol said.
“(I’m) grateful to god for giving me these opportunities, Monty (Nick Montgomery), Serg (Sergio Raimundo), yeah that’s it.”
Kuol has had a fantastic start to his senior Mariners career, with Saturday’s goal his third from his six games this season.
He said coach Montgomery told him to ‘come on and win the game like my brother did last year’. And that’s what he did.
“He’s (Montgomery) telling me ‘you know I told you you’d do it’ and I’ve done it so happy to get the win,” Kuol said.
Kuol’s brother, Alou, struck twice in February last year to seal a come-from-behind Mariners win against Western United.
Alou, who is currently based at German Bundesliga Two club SV Sandhausen, also had a big weekend, making his debut against powerhouse Schalke 04.
Coming on in the 79th minute, Alou’s side equalised just four minutes later, before Schalke hit the front again in the 91st minute.
Unfortunately for Alou, a wayward challenge in the dying minutes of the game saw his match end early, receiving a straight red card from the referee and earning him a week on the sidelines.
