Football: Usain Bolt scores two goals in his first start for the Central Coast Mariners

Pic Courtesy: Reuters

Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt scored two goals in his first start for the Central Coast Mariners in a trial match on Friday that he hopes could pave the way for a professional contract as a soccer player.

The 32-year-old Jamaican, who is hoping to win a contract ahead of the Mariners` 2018-19 A-League campaign, was in the thick of the action as the Mariners recorded a 4-0 win over Macarthur South West United. He scored his first in the 57th minute when he shrugged off a defender on the left before unleashing a hard, low shot past the goalkeeper at the near post.

Bolt pointed to the sky in his trademark `lightning bolt` celebration, but the world`s fastest man still had more to offer. His second goal came in the 68th minute when Bolt pounced on a defensive error to tap home from close range.

"My first start and scoring two goals, it`s a good feeling," Bolt told Fox Sports after he was substituted in the 75th minute."I`m happy I could come here and show the world I’m improving. I`m keen to be a Mariner, to play my best and get into the team."

"The coach said to me, you`ll get chances, you`ll score some, you`ll miss some, don`t put your head down, keep your head up and try for the next one."

Bolt`s last appearance for the first team was against an amateur select side in August, where he came on as a late substitute and appeared to lack match sharpness. Former Australia goalkeeper Mark Bosnich said although there were improvements in his game, Bolt still had a long way to go to transform himself into a professional soccer player.

"Slight improvement if you want to say that but his touch is still very poor," Bosnich, currently a Fox Sports commentator, said during the match.

"His speed endurance is a little bit better but he still looked tired after 15-20 minutes. He just looks a little bit sharper, not a great deal to be honest. There`s a slight improvement but not very much."