Bolt set for first football start in Europe
Football
By
Reuters
| Oct 10, 2018
Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt is set to start up front for the Central Coast Mariners in a trial match on Friday and the Jamaican said his future as a soccer player could be on the line.
The 32-year-old eight-time Olympic gold medallist is trying to transform himself from global athletics superstar to professional football player and hopes to win a contract for the Mariners ahead of the 2018-19 Australian top flight campaign.
His previous appearance for the first team was against an amateur select side on Aug. 31 where he came on as a substitute in the 72nd minute and appeared to lack match sharpness and the touch and skill required for a professional.
“This will determine ... (what) the club want to do with my career, so it’s a very important game,” Bolt said on Wednesday.
“I have been improving but you won’t know what level you’re at until you play a competitive game so I just have to go out there and see what I need to do or whether I should continue or not.
READ MORE
Ngugi wa Thiong'o and the African literary revolution
Tanzania doctor describes bodies taken from morgue as fresh protests loom
Kenya submits bid to host 2029, 2031 World Athletics Championships
Confusion over hardship allowance as teachers left in limbo
Why debt cancellation is Africa's last hope for climate justice
Kenya secures historic win to host global forestry congress
TSC to pay terminal benefits to teachers exiting service
COP30: Fund climate communication to the grassroots
“I’m just pushing myself and have put in the work so now I have to go out there and execute.”
Bolt said that coach Mike Mulvey had told him he was likely to start the game on Friday against Macarthur South West United at Campbelltown Sports Stadium and that he would be deployed in a more forward role than on his initial appearance.
“He said he wants me to play me up top,” Bolt said.
“He just told me to make sure that I’m focussed to push myself and just take my chances when I get them.”
Bolt added that he had been playing a series of practice games with other players hoping to make the first team squad and he felt that his fitness and skills had improved.
“My movement and my touch is much better now. How to set my body, where to place the ball,” Bolt said.
“There is a lot of things I have learned. I am much fitter now so I will have more time on the field and that’s good.”
Bolt, who put his efforts to carve out a football career on hold for a week to fulfil an overseas commitment last month, said he would thrive on the pressure.
“I’m the type of guy who likes competition, I like pressure so I’m excited to go out there and give it my best,” he added.