Western United’s bid to snare the premiers plate has suffered a huge blow after 17-year-old star Garang Kuol scored a later winner to guide Central Coast to a 1-0 victory in Gosford.
Kuol showed maturity beyond his years by calmly controlling the ball while surrounded by defenders before guiding home a left-foot strike to break the deadlock in the 81st minute of Saturday’s match.
United would have moved up to top spot on the Isuzu UTE A-League ladder if they had come away with victory.
But the loss leaves them in third, meaning they must rely on other results to fall their way if they are to finish the season top.
Ladder leaders Melbourne City, who are two points ahead of of John Aloisi’s side, are now in the box seat to finish first with just two games remaining.
The Mariners’ third win on the trot has given them vital breathing space in the race for a finals berth.
Central Coast are now in fifth spot, four points clear of seventh-placed Macarthur FC and five points ahead of eighth-placed Sydney FC.
Kuol has already become a cult hero at the Mariners after scoring three goals in his first six ALM games.
For United, the Kuol family has proven to be a major thorn.
Last year, Kuol’s older brother Alou scored two goals in the space of four minutes to lead the Mariners to a 3-2 win.
This time it was Garang’s turn to sink United.
The visitors were dealt a blow in the ninth minute when midfielder Steven Lustica suffered a game-ending calf injury.
There was only one shot on target in the first half, but there were some exciting moments as both teams looked to attack.
Mariners striker Jason Cummins came the closest to breaking the deadlock in the 20th minute when his powerful shot from 26 yards out struck the base of the upright.
The ball rebounded to the feet of Beni N’Kololo, but his shot was well saved by United goalkeeper Jamie Young.
There was plenty of drama in the second half with a disallowed goal and a penalty decision that was reversed.
Mariners striker Matheus Moresche powered the ball into the back of the net in the 61st minute, but his goal celebrations were short lived after the VAR showed the ball had rolled out just before N’Kololo produced the cut-back pass.
United endured their own disappointment on 68 minutes when they were awarded a penalty – only for VAR to decide Connor Pain had actually been brought down just outside the box.
Kuol proved to be the hero, and it was a deserved win for the Mariners after ending the game with 19 shots to seven.
