CommBank Stadium was the latest stop on the Garang Kuol tour and the Newcastle United-bound teenager put on a show after Central Coast Mariners handed Western Sydney Wanderers their first defeat of the Isuzu UTE A-League season.
But will Kuol be on the plane to Qatar with the Socceroos?
Kuol came off the bench and turned the match on its head on Saturday, with the 18-year-old sensation tallying two assists to inspire a 3-0 humbling of high-flying Western Sydney in Round 5.
Central Coast’s Kuol teed up fellow substitute Michael Ruhs for both goals in the second half – first dispossessing Ruon Tongyik before sliding an inch-perfect pass across the six-yard box.
It came after Kuol’s impact off the bench last week, which saw the one-time Socceroo scored in a stunning 4-2 come-from-behind win against 10-man Western United.
The question in the aftermath of Saturday night’s triumph – will Graham Arnold take Kuol, and Jason Cummings, who did not score but hit the post and should have at least had a double?
Former A-Leagues striker Roy O’Donovan said on Paramount+: “He [Cummings] has to go.
“Kuol has to go. Both of them have something different to offer.
“Kuol especially is a game changer. 10-15 minutes off the bench. Fresh. Absolutely. It’s a yes from me!”
On Kuol after he was the subject of this week’s A-Leagues All Access, titled Sky’s The Limit, O’Donovan added: “It’s a great story. He hasn’t started a professional game yet but he is dragging us all into his story with him.
“The passion we saw on the show the other night. His family and life. He can play and he brings energy.
“I hope he is on that list on Tuesday.”
Saturday recap
Western Sydney Wanderers 0-3 Central Coast Mariners
Match report: From AAA to giant-slayer: Kuol takes down Wanderers
Melbourne City 4-0 Perth Glory
Match report: Maclaren, Leckie & Tilio knock on World Cup door in City’s big win
