Charlie Austin had his first taste of competitive football Down Under and the former Premier League striker did not disappoint.
The ex-QPR, Southampton and Burnley marksman setup two goals in his maiden start as Brisbane Roar overcame NPL Men VIC opponents Heidelberg United 3-1 in the Australia Cup Round of 32 on Wednesday night.
Austin – who came off the bench in the friendly against Aston Villa -helped set the tone at Olympic Park, where Roar’s marquee man provided a lovely flick to release Rahmat Akbari to break the deadlock inside two minutes.
Brisbane’s Austin was at it again approaching the hour-mark when his header across goal found Henry Hore, who restored the visitors’ 2-1 lead.
Nikola Mileusnic then sealed the Roar’s place in the last 16 with a stunning free-kick in the 88th minute.
Austin was pleased with the result afterwards as he took to Twitter.
“Nice to get my first start, good performance from the lads was a potential banana skin but we produced the goods not to mention @nmileu with unbelievable free-kick,” Austin wrote.
Austin then joked that he deserved his treat post-game – some Tim Tams.
Elsewhere in the Australia Cup, Adelaide City edged Logan Lightning 1-0, Green Gully won a thriller against Wollongong United 3-2 and Brisbane City were too good for Cockburn City 3-1.
