Central Coast Mariners head coach Mark Jackson lauded Arthur De Lima after the 17-year-old debutant came back to haunt his former club Brisbane Roar on Friday night.
De Lima enjoyed an unforgettable outing at Suncorp Stadium, where the former Roar academy prospect scored his first Isuzu UTE A-League goal in his first league appearance as two-time reigning champions Central Coast downed winless Brisbane 3-1.
Fast forward to Round 10 of the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League campaign, and the talent teenager scored the final goal in Central Coast’s win away to 10-man Brisbane.
“I said to him in the office… me and (assistant) Danny Schofield were sat in the office the other day and we had a little joke with him,” Jackson told reporters.
“He is a young player who’s been working hard. He made an impact with us last year when we saw him. He’s been training with us regularly… and he’s earned that chance.
“I’m delighted for him and delighted for him to do that in front of his family as well.”
On Central Coast’s academy players stepping up this season with Dylan Peraic-Cullen the number one goalkeeper and Haine Eames earning plenty of admirers, Jackson added: “There’s been a lot of talk this season about young players and stuff like that from other teams.
“We will continue to push that it shows what a good academy we have. We have belief in our young players at this football club.”
