It seems only fitting that Garang Kuol’s Central Coast Mariners farewell came in the final game of 2022 in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
Kuol, who will become a Newcastle United player when the clock strikes midnight, played his final game in a Mariners jersey in their 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory in Gosford – capping off a calendar year where he had Mariners and Australian football fans alike in awe for his incredible performances.
The 18-year-old winger’s meteoric rise to stardom has been one of the stories of the year – not only in Australian football, but sport in this country alone.
From his incredible game-winning cameos at the end of last season, to wowing against Barcelona for the A-League All-Stars, to representing Australia at the FIFA Men’s World Cup and coming within inches of sending eventual world champions Argentina to extra-time.
It’s been nothing short of incredible.
Kuol’s final game in a Mariners jersey came from the start, lining up from the onset for only the third time in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
While it was a game that his team-mate Jason Cummings stole the show for his goal-scoring feats, it was Kuol who created havoc when he was able to get free – playing a role in the opener and the chalked-off penalty.
And when he was substituted off in the 78th minute, the Mariners fans let him know how much he has meant to them with a standing ovation.
“As he makes his way off the pitch in Gosford for the very last time, before that big move to the English Premier League for Newcastle United. What a talent he is,” Network 10 commentator Simon Hill said on the broadcast as he came from the field.
We’ve so enjoyed watching him in the A-League and of course, we wish him well on his travels to England and hopefully he fulfils his undoubted potential.
“Go make us proud, Garang.”
And now, the journey continues for Kuol whose time in the Isuzu UTE A-League comes to an end, as he jets over to England to join the Magpies – with a mooted loan deal to potentially a Portuguese side on the way.
“I’m really excited to learn more stuff, be around more people, different cultures and I can’t wait,” Kuol told Network 10.
Kuol is following in the foot-steps of brother, Alou, who also moved over to Europe after an eye-catching stint at the Mariners in the 2020-21 season – with the latter joining German side Stuttgart.
When asked if moving away from his family will be one of the ‘harder things’, Kuol said he’s only focused on making them proud.
“I think, I just want to try take away that stress. I was focused more on just making them proud,” Kuol said.
“I just want to do my job.”
Network 10 pundits Andy Harper and Tarek Elrich also weighed in on what’s next for Kuol, as he embarks on the next chapter of what promises to be a sensational footballing career.
“It was a mature line wasn’t it? Rather than getting bogged down by the stress of being estranged from my family because it’s very difficult. You’re in a highly competitive environment, you’re 13,000 miles away from home,” Harper said.
Their family story has been a particular one as well going through the whole refugee process so what a line to come out with: ‘I’m going to take away that stress by making them proud. I think that’s a window to the kid’s mentality, which is a special characteristic and edge that he’s got on the pack in which he finds himself at the moment.
“But in a lot of ways, the work starts now. You’re becoming less of a secret to your opponents, they’re starting to assess you more. They’re starting to not maybe dive in because they know you’re going to burn them with speed so this in some sense is where the work starts for Garang.”
“When you go to Europe, it’s a different level,” Elrich chimed in.
“Not to take anything away from the A-League, the quality here is very high, but you’re going up against, every defender is quick, every defender is sharp, every defender is going to be strong and you’re going to a place to take someone else’s position so it’s not going to be easy for him.
There’s going to be times when you’re not playing, you’re not selected even in the squad, injuries happen. Hopefully, knock on wood he doesn’t have to go through any of that but there’s always ups and down for any athlete, in any sport and especially when you go abroad without your family.
“It’s going to take a strong character and I think he’s that person.”
The man who ensured it would be a happy farewell for Kuol, was his Socceroos and Mariners team-mate Cummings – who was brilliant against Victory – making it six goals on the season with a brilliant brace.
And had it not been for the VAR, he could have easily had a hat-trick, with one of his goals chalked off for offside.
Cummings’ double also caps off a sensational 2022 for the Scottish-born striker, whose move to the Mariners and subsequent form since arriving in January helped him win a place in Australia’s World Cup squad – after being at a career cross-roads prior to heading to Gosford.
“It’s been unbelievable, we (Cummings and partner Hannah) came in January and it’s been a full year, it’s been the best year, the best decision I have made coming out here,” Cummings told Network 10.
“I’ve loved every moment, playing with these guys, playing in this beautiful stadium. It’s a proper family but to get the three points means we can have a few drinks tonight!”
