From Hidden Gem to Headline Act: Mariners Star Achieves Fairytale Week

On Sunday evening, Isabel Gomez stepped into the spotlight as the hero of the Ninja A-League Grand Final, capping off an extraordinary week for the Central Coast Mariners star, as reported by Sacha Pisani from aleagues.com.au.

Fairytales are not merely the domain of children. Isabel Gomez is a testament to that.

In just one week, the 22-year-old managed to score a dramatic 121st-minute winner against the unbeaten, two-time champions Melbourne City, sending ripples throughout the league. She earned a call-up to the CommBank Matildas, netted a goal in the Grand Final, and celebrated a Championship victory on Sunday.

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“It was absolutely insane,” Gomez shared with The Australian regarding her Matildas selection just before the Grand Final.

“There were so many emotions; my mum was trying to process it all too, saying ‘you’re in the Grand Final and the Matildas’, but she was thrilled for me.”

During the match, Gomez established herself as a legend. Just after the second half commenced, she scored the opening goal for the Mariners.

Later, she displayed remarkable composure in a tense penalty shoot-out. As she approached the penalty spot, she quietly motivated herself, coolly converting her shot despite the jeers from the Melbourne crowd, ultimately helping secure the Championship for Central Coast only two seasons after their impressive return from a 14-year absence.

This tale isn’t just one of the Mariners; it’s a remarkable narrative of Gomez, whose performance stood out immensely.

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In November, dubbed the “best-kept secret”, Gomez received her first international call-up, but a knee injury prevented her from debuting during a friendly series against Brazil and Chinese Taipei in late 2024.

This setback sidelined her for 12 weeks.

However, the talented midfielder returned to the pitch in February and has been on fire since, scoring five goals in total – four of which were netted in the Semi-Final and Final.

She is currently enjoying the best season of her career with seven goals in the 2024-25 season.

“This season feels different for me,” Gomez told The Australian.

“I believe I have gained more confidence, and my coach (Emily Husband) has really instilled that in me, not only as a player but also as an individual and as a leader.

“(Husband) has been an exceptional coach over the past two years, helping me build confidence, something I’ve previously struggled with due to self-doubt.”

With Emily Husband’s guidance, Gomez and the Mariners are achieving new heights.

For Gomez, even greater opportunities may lie ahead.