Left smarting after a disastrous AFC Champions League Elite campaign, the Mariners rediscovered their winning ways on Sunday courtesy of two superb headers by Kuol at Industree Group Stadium.
Central Coast were knocked out of the continental tournament after a 4-0 thrashing from Yokohama F Marinos last week, with Mark Jackson's side finishing last in Group A with one point.
Their win against Sydney is their second victory of the season and lifts them to seventh (nine points) on the table, while Ufuk Talay's side remain sixth on goal difference.
The hosts were given the numerical advantage in the 42nd minute, with Sydney goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares enduring a horror league debut.
Devenish-Meares, already way off his line, left the box and jumped to challenge Kuol's header, sending the Central Coast attacker to ground.
This is not how Harrison Devenish-Meares wanted his A-Leagues debut to end 🟥☹�— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) The Sydney FC goalkeeper is sent off after 42 minutes in Gosford.Watch #CCMvSYD live & exclusive on Paramount+. pic.twitter.com/CfjzxXtCDuDecember 8, 2024
The off-season recruit had been handed the starting spot ahead of preferred keeper Andrew Redmayne, who was nursing a corked thigh on the bench.
Talay was forced to sacrifice star midfielder Anas Ouahim to bring Redmayne into the fray.
Central Coast's Mikael Doka could have piled on the misery but his penalty kick deflected off the wall and over the crossbar.
Doka had another opportunity to score when Sydney captain Rhyan Grant fouled Christian Theoharous three minutes later, but again the Brazilian winger sent it too high.
He had uncharacteristically missed an opportunity in the 24th minute, with his attempt sliding across the face of an open goal.
. — Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) @CCMariners LEAD against Sydney FC - and it's a ripping header from Alou Kuol! 👊His first goal since April comes at the perfect time.Watch #CCMvSYD live & exclusive on Paramount+. pic.twitter.com/wT0NBXq2ukDecember 8, 2024
Kuol first hit the scoresheet in the 58th minute, beating out two Sydney defenders to connect with Storm Roux's cross.
Patryk Klimala drew scores level seven minutes after Joe Lolley desperately kept the ball alive, but Sydney's ascendancy did not take form.
Kuol - again sandwiched between two Sydney defenders - found the back of the net in the 70th minute to secure the win.
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