A-League Men Finals as Craig Goodwin’s Late Chance for Socceroos World Cup
As he prepares to return from a long-term injury, Craig Goodwin is determined to make the most of his opportunity in the A-League Men finals. The 2022 World Cup hero’s hopes of securing a spot in this year’s tournament looked bleak when he suffered a serious groin injury in early February. However, the Adelaide United captain is now focusing on regaining his fitness and aiming to play a crucial role in the upcoming matches.
Goodwin is currently building up his strength and eyeing a return against Melbourne City on April 26 at AAMI Park. His performance will be closely watched by the Socceroos coaching staff and physios, who are assessing his progress. The former Socceroos player is eager to prove himself before the extended squad heads into a pre-tournament camp next month.
“I’m aware of the situation that I may only get a few games, but I hope that potentially I can have a big impact in those few games,” Goodwin told AAP. “And if there’s the pre-camp, if I can be selected in that, then anything’s possible from there. I’ve shown in the past that I’m very capable at that level and have done some good things.”
Before his injury, Goodwin was adapting to a new style of play under Adelaide’s new coach Airton Andrioli. He has been playing more as a No.10 than his usual wing role, which has affected his statistics this season. Despite this, he believes his performances have remained strong and that there is still more to come.
“So in terms of stats, it’s not been my best season, but I think the performances have still been at a good level, and I still think there’s much more to come as well,” Goodwin said. “And hopefully once I’m back and injury-free, I can show that in the finals.”
Goodwin never let his injury affect his mindset, choosing instead to focus on rehabilitation while also enjoying the birth of his second son, Elijah. He acknowledges the challenges of trying to secure a World Cup spot, but he refuses to give up.
“I know it puts a difficulty on trying to attain a World Cup position, but if I sit here and just say ‘oh it’s over’ then I’ve got no chance of making it,” he said.
In 2022, Goodwin defied the odds by overcoming osteitis pubis to play in Australia’s World Cup opener against France, where he scored. He credits that experience with helping him deal with injuries and playing through pain.
“I probably had a little bit more time four years ago,” he said. “But I guess that maybe it can help me, with that experience of tending with an injury and having to play under a fair amount of pain.”
Before his injury, Goodwin was on the fringes of the Socceroos squad, with a difficult game at left wing-back against Venezuela in November. However, the winger with a clutch mentality and deadly set-piece skills remains confident in his ability to perform if called upon by coach Tony Popovic.
“I’ve got a good self-belief in myself as a player and I’ve been through a lot of setbacks over the years that have definitely helped me be able to overcome certain things,” Goodwin said. “But again, this is just another situation where you have to contend with what it is and not get overawed or too down by it, and just take it as it comes. So what will be will be for me, and if I get the opportunities to try and put my name up for that selection, then I’ll do the best I can.”
Goodwin’s teammates at Adelaide United have given their captain every opportunity to get game time. With two games remaining, including Sunday’s home game at Coopers Stadium, Adelaide can finish as high as second and have effectively locked in the finals. The team is also chasing its first championship in a decade.
“Definitely, this is a year that we have the potential to go on a winner,” Goodwin said. “And we have the full confidence that no matter who we come up against going into the finals that we have the potential to win it.”
