The rise and rise of Garang Kuol has the Central Coast teen sensation looming as an A-League Men's finals X-factor for the Mariners.
After a breakout April where the 17-year-old notched three goals in six substitute appearances for Nick Montgomery's team, Kuol took that tally to four in seven with the Mariners' second in a 2-0 win over Brisbane at Moreton Daily Stadium on Tuesday.
The victory sealed Central Coast's top-six position and finals football and rival coaches will be busy formulating plans to stop Kuol's game-changing abilities heading into the playoffs.
Kuol's cool finish, just four minutes after his 59th-minute introduction into the match, came just three days after he scored a late winner to dent Western United's premiers plate ambitions.
With Central Coast already boasting the attacking talents of Scottish-born Socceroos hopeful Jason Cummings, Costa Rican schemer Marco Urena and Brazilian Moresche - the younger brother of ex-Mariner Alou Kuol is an exciting icing on the cake for Montgomery.
"We've got the smallest budget, smallest squad in the league but what we are blessed with is good young players that I've coached for a couple of years that know what I expect," Montgomery said.
"They're honest, they're hard-working and there's plenty of them that played out there (on Tuesday) that have been playing all season but Garang, he's a special talent.
"When he comes off the bench he just needs one chance.
"That shows what a talent he is."
The Mariners will now prepare for finals with an F3 derby against Newcastle on Saturday in Gosford.
Montgomery is optimistic defender Dan Hall will be all clear to face the Jets after limping out of the match against the Roar late with a left knee injury.
Urena is also expected to return after picking up a knock against Western and failing to make the trip to Queensland while the Mariners coach said Socceroo Ruon Tongyik could also be in the mix to play the Jets.
"Hopefully a couple of boys coming back into the squad and it's a big game, it's a derby," Montgomery said, adding he won't have one eye on finals as he looks to extend the Mariners' four-game winning run.
"We're looking for a big crowd.
"I know how hard the Jets will be coming to spoil the party so we'll be ready for the game on the weekend and we try and win every game we play."
