Austin’s free kick has tongues wagging at Leeds
JAMAICAN international Rodolph Austin notched his first goal in the English League Championship on Saturday in Leeds United’s 2-1 defeat against Cardiff City in the Welsh capital.
Twenty-seven-year-old Austin, playing in central midfield, scored from a direct free-kick from 30 yards in the 77th minute against Cardiff City.
Craig Bellamy and Peter Whittingham netted for Cardiff in the 67th, also from a direct free kick, and in the 73rd, from a penalty kick, respectively.
“We were in the game for a long time,” Austin said about the weekend’s game on the Leeds United website.
“We were unfortunate to concede both goals, but we have to work on those things and get back to winning ways as soon as possible.
“A point would have been good for us. They came out for the second half and they were pushing. Craig Bellamy scored a free kick which you have to give credit to… but we have good players and we have to get back to winning ways,” he said.
A former Portmore United player, Austin has started in all five matches for Leeds so far this season in the Championship. He has yet to be substituted, establishing himself as something of a cult figure with the fans, which was cemented with the thunderous spot kick.
“I like to shoot and it was in my range. I was very happy to score,” Austin added.
“We were back in the game, but we just couldn’t get a second one. It’s nice to have a relationship with the fans but I have to keep doing my best.”
Austin scored in the Reggae Boyz’ historic 2-1 win over the United States, with Cardiff game coming at the end of a long 10 days for the Clarendon man, which included a return leg against the Americans in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers.
“It was fantastic,” Austin pointed out. “We beat the US for the first time and it was good to be a part of that, but I want to do my best for the club. We have to give it our all and try and get maximum points from these home games now.”
After five matches and now in week six of the Championship, Leeds are in ninth place of the 24-team league with seven points.
In their last home game against Hull City, Leeds won 4-1 on August 16 last year.
Hull City are in fourth-place with 10 points, trailing leaders Blackburn Rovers by one point, and Blackpool and Brighton & Hove Albion only on goal difference.
