Newcastle United signing Garang Kuol made his full A-League debut in the Central Coast Mariners' victory over Sydney FC on Saturday.

The Australian wonderkid featured for 67 minutes as Central Coast Mariners earned a comeback 2-1 win.

Paulo Retre fired the visitors into an early lead at Gosford Stadium, but the Mariners turned the match around before the break with a quickfire double. Marco Tulio headed home a teasing Kuol delivery, before Dan Hall scored what proved to be the winner just three minutes later.

Mariners coach Nick Montgomery enthused: "I had to protect him heading into the World Cup. It was a big test for Garang to start a game, there are a few actions where you can tell he's still a kid who's growing.

"In certain moments he's devastating, in others he's frustrating but he put everything on the line today. When he's fully grown he's going to be a seriously good player."