Usain Bolt has scored his first goals for a professional football team, getting two on his maiden start for Central Coast Mariners in a friendly.
The Jamaican eight-time Olympic sprint champion scored the Mariners’ third and fourth goals in a 4-0 win over Macarthur South West and celebrated with his trademark lightning bolt pose.
“I think I made some slight mistakes but I’m just happy to get the chance and I’m proud of myself,” said Bolt after his withdrawal on 75 minutes, adding, “Scoring a goal in your first proper match is a big deal. It was a good feeling.”
For his opening goal Bolt ran on to a chipped ball played by Scotland striker Ross McCormack, held off the defender and finished powerfully low past the goalkeeper.
He capitalised on a defensive mix-up for his second, with a Macarthur defender and goalkeeper colliding to leave Bolt able to tap in from close range.
McCormack, on loan from Aston Villa, headed in the Mariners’ first goal in the eighth minute.
“The best thing about Usain Bolt is he’s so humble,” McCormack said.
Having worked hard on his fitness since that debut on the Central Coast, the 32-year-old was able to last the majority of the game, but there remains much room for improvement in his general play before he can contemplate winning an A-League contract.
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