Luis Garcia made an impressive debut in the Central Coast Mariners’ heartbreaking 2-1 loss at home to Western Sydney Wanderers.
The prized recruit came on in the 59th minute to a standing ovation and any doubts over his quality were quashed within a matter of minutes.
Garcia’s first touch was an inch-perfect ball to Mitch Austin on a break, and just moments later the Spaniard had a direct impact in the lead up play to their Mariners’ equaliser.
After flicking the ball over Romeo Castelen, he then threaded a superbly weighted pass to release Austin down the left flank, who squared it across the penalty area, and after a scramble in the box the ball was put in by Fabio Ferreira.
At 37, there were plenty of doubters but Garcia never put a foot wrong in an encouraging first outing in the A-League.
Here is some of the reactions from Twitter:
Not bad from someone who hasn’t played professional football for nearly 2 years. #Garcia #CCMvWSW #Aleague
— Football Crate (@footballcrate) January 23, 2016
Luis Class-ia. #CCMvWSW
— Frank (@Frank_theTank78) January 23, 2016
Say what you want about Garcia’s age & long lay-off. That was a brilliant through ball for @CCMariners opener. #CCMvWSW #ALeague
— Robert Grasso (@RobertGrasso) January 23, 2016
Luis Garcia wow! can’t believe impact he’s had on & off the pitch. Without him biggest thing in this match would’ve been the sauce bottles
— Con Stamocostas (@constama10) January 23, 2016
Well, say what you like about Luis Garcia…but WHAT an impact. The game changed the moment he came on #CCMvWSW
— Sebastian Hassett (@sebth) January 23, 2016
What a pass, Luis Garcia. Class. #CCMvWSW
— Dejan Kalinic (@DejanKalinic) January 23, 2016
It’s crazy seeing a 37 year old run rings around every other player on the opposition. You go Luis Garcia, you go.
— Dixie Normous (@zac_kerr14) January 23, 2016
Garcia already better than Robert Koren. #CCMvWSW
— Laurence (@LaurenceRosen) January 23, 2016
luis garcia is like “this is the easiest 50k I’ve made in my life”. Class act, took the absolute piss. #CCMvWSW
— PT (@scoresomegoals) January 23, 2016
Mariners really deserved that win. Garcia gave them the belief to go hard! Great Saturday night clash! #CCMvWSW be proud @CCMariners
— Tanner Coad (@Tanner_Coad19) January 23, 2016
Wonder if Garcia had plans on adding a wooden spoon to his trophy cabinet. Might do a David villa and leave after 3 games #CCMvWSW
— Anderson Wright (@andersonn92) January 23, 2016
Happy to see Luis Garcia has something to offer! #CCMFC still stink though. The self-sabotage was next level tonight. #CCMvWSW
— Jessica Clement (@jess_clement) January 23, 2016
Garcia 'I hope that the supporters are like this for the rest of the season' hahahahahahahaha ????? good luck with that mate #wsw #CCMvWSW
— Nathan Stewart (@Nnnnnathan10) January 23, 2016
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