The Shepparton-raised star striker popped up with the winner against Sydney FC in a bubbling cauldron of a derby, firing home in the 51st minute as the red and black held on for a gripping 1-0 victory in the A-League.
Kuol earned top marks from Western Sydney Wanderers coach Alen Stajcic, who mentored the 24-year-old during his time at Central Coast Mariners.
“It’s a massive goal for him and (a) massive occasion for him. I know he’s got so much more in the locker,” Stajcic said in a post-match press conference.
“I think he’s been getting better and better every week, but I’ve seen him ... I won’t even say at his peak but even in better form so I know he’s got a lot more in the locker.
“If he keeps growing in confidence and in belief in himself and getting in good areas, he’s such a handful.”
Kuol, making his sixth appearance for the Wanderers, was involved in the action early.
He attacked a cross in the eighth minute to no avail, and with both sides knocking on the door, it was a miracle that neither was able to break the deadlock before the break.
But as the second half turned; cometh the hour, cometh the Kuol.
A long throw launched into the area pinballed around the six yard zone before landing in Kuol’s path, and the Goulburn Valley Suns product played fox in the box as he poked the ball into the Sky Blues’ net.
The crowd erupted and Kuol celebrated accordingly by darting into the stands - but with 40 minutes to play, he hardly expected it to be the winner.
And it almost wasn’t.
Sydney FC had a strong penalty shout waved away in the 90th minute after a shot struck a Wanderers player’s hand, and after the match was embroiled in controversy for a short period, the hosts held on for a fabled win.
Kuol’s first goal for the club came at an opportune time, handing the Wanderers their second win of the season and lifting them out of the bottom third of the table.
But knowing Kuol deals in goals, Stajcic hopes there’s a few more ace hands to come.
“He (Kuol) was such a handful throughout the whole night in different occasions and things where there’s structured play but also unstructured play, he’s probably even more dangerous,” he said.
“Hopefully he gets that little bit of confidence and keeps improving throughout the year because he can be a massive weapon in this league.”
14°C