Olympic sprint legend Usain Bolt made his much-anticipated football debut Friday, exciting fans but tiring quickly in a 20-minute cameo as his Central Coast Mariners hammered an amateur side 6-1 in a pre-season warm-up.
The Jamaican superstar, a huge Manchester United fan, has been handed a chance to train with the Australian side for an indefinite period in a bid to prove he has what it takes to earn a professional playing contract.
Central Coast Mariners player Usain Bolt No. 95 at the A-League trial match against Central Coast Selection at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford, Australia, August 31, 2018. /VCG Photo
His arrival has generated a massive buzz at the club's base in Gosford, 75 kilometers (47 miles) north of Sydney, and some 10,000 people packed the Central Coast Stadium -- a virtually unprecedented turnout for a pre-season game.
It wasn't quite Old Trafford but there was a lively atmosphere with a brass band on hand to get the crowd going.
After only a handful of training sessions since arriving last week, the fastest man on Earth watched avidly from the bench as the Mariners began dismantling a Central Coast select side.
He didn't have long to wait to celebrate with the Mariners getting on the scoresheet barely 20 seconds after kick off thanks to a sweet strike by Jack Clisby from the edge of the box, with Bolt keenly applauding from the sidelines.
Central Coast Mariners player Usain Bolt No. 95 in action during the A-League trial match against Central Coast Selection at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford, Australia, August 31, 2018. /VCG Photo
They were 5-0 up at a half-time and a massacre seemed imminent.
The eight-time Olympic champion wore gloves and appeared relaxed, despite admitting to nerves this week, as he followed the match intently.
On a chilly night, he stayed warm on the sidelines by stretching and jogging with the 32-year-old happily giving the thumbs up and high-fives to fans.
(With input from AFP)