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SYDNEY. – Usain Bolt made his much-anticipated professional football debut yesterday – but tired in a 20-minute cameo for Central Coast Mariners.

The Jamaican sprint king, who has been given a chance to train with the Australian side in a bid to win a contract, finally came on in the 71st minute of a pre-season friendly against Central Coast Football, to huge cheers from the crowd and fireworks.

Almost 10 000 people packed the Central Coast Stadium to see the eight-time Olympic champion – wearing the No. 95 shirt in a nod to his 100m world record time – but he was unable to get on the scoresheet as his team-mates thrashed the amateurs 6-1. Starting on the left wing, Bolt fluffed his first touch, making a run on the inside only for the through-ball to hit him on the heel. The 32-year-old got himself in the box soon after but a cross whipped in from the left went over his head.

Playing more centrally, his best touch came 10 minutes after coming on when he controlled a bobbling ball with his right foot, rode a challenge and laid it off with his left foot.

Bolt had admitted before the game he was not match fit and, pouring with sweat, he tired quickly before a late flurry, narrowly failing to get on the end of a low cross. – Sky Sports.