Sydney, Former Jamaican athlete and multiple Olympic and world sprint champion in 100m, 200m and 4x100m, Usain Bolt, scored a brace in his first match as a soccer player for the Central Coast Mariners here on Friday.
The Mariners beat Macarthur South West United 4-0 in a friendly tie, with Bolt scoring the third and fourth goals, reports Efe news agency.
“What. A. Game. @usainbolt, the footballer scores two goals in our 4-0 win,” the Central Coast Mariners said on their official Twitter handle.
Bolt missed some chances to score in the first half of the game, before he scored his first goal in the second half.
After the game, Bolt said that it was a great feeling to score two goals in his maiden game for the team, and added that he was keen to be a “Mariner” and do his best for the team.
The world record holder for 100m and 200m, with this performance made his case for breaking into the main team of the Mariners ahead of its A-League season that will kick off on October 21.
Vying for a contract with the Central Coast Mariners just one week out from Australia’s A-League season, the eight-time gold medallist was given an opportunity to prove himself as a professional footballer, reports Xinhua news agency.
But with a heavy knock in the early goings and few near misses, it took the 32-year-old some time to find his feet in the match.
However, with the weight of possession, the Mariners were able to pile on the pressure and go up 2-0 at half time after goals from Tommy Oar and Jordan Murray.
The travelling side would then make it 3-0 in the 57th minute when the three-time Olympian took the ball wide onto his left foot and blasted a stunning shot past United’s keeper.
“I was just trying to remind myself to set up and get a good shot, that’s all I was telling myself,” Bolt told Xinhua after the match.
“I thought as long as I got the guy off my shoulders, I can set up the shot and make sure I hit the target. That’s the key thing and that is what I did.”
His first goal in professional football, the Jamaican celebrated with his trade mark lightning bolt pose, to the delight of local fans.
Moments later, a defensive mix-up from United’s back line gifted Bolt his second, sealing the 4-0 victory for the Mariners on a famous night for Australian football.
“When I scored, it was a great feeling, I was so happy about it,” Bolt said.
“It was brilliant, it takes all the weight off your shoulders.”
