The Whites ace, previously compared to Luis Suarez, helped Leeds beat Coventry in the Professional Development League semi-final playoff at Elland Road.
Leeds United Under-23s boss Carlos Corberan has claimed that his charges had taken another step towards first-team involvement at Elland Road after reaching the final of the Professional Development League playoffs at the expense of Coventry City
The Whites coach singled out Kun Temenuzhkov for praise after the 19-year-old came off the bench and scored the winner against the Sky Blues in Monday night’s clash, an enthralling game which saw five goals and lasted 120 minutes.
Leeds were bright from the off and took the lead just five minutes in through Robbie Gotts, but Coventry eventually drew level in the second half when David Bremang slotted home from Jonathon Ngandu’s cutback.
The Whites once again edged ahead when goalkeeper Corey Addai spilled the ball and Ryan Edmondson made the most of the opportunity six minutes from time, but three minutes into stoppage time, a Josh Eccles shot from distance was deflected into the back of the net.
With several players suffering from cramp and fatigue, the tie finally settled six minutes from the end of extra time when former Barcelona academy ace Temenuzhkov made space for a shot from the edge of the box and duly found the back of the net.
Speaking about the players, Corberan told LUTV: “One day they’ll arrive in the first team and have the same atmosphere so it’s important to create similar experiences. The final is one experience more and a positive thing.
“The players who come from the bench have to go into the team with the right mentality, to continue helping the team with the things they’re doing well. The impact of Kun in this situation was positive.”
Temenuzhkov, who was previously compared to Luis Suarez by the Guardian in 2017, has one senior Leeds appearance under his belt, the 2-1 defeat to Queens Park Rangers in the third round of the 2018-19 FA Cup back in January, according to Transfermarkt.
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