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September 5, 2024
At 32 years old, Craig Goodwin has reached a point of significant stability both on and off the pitch. With a well-established life and a sense of balance in his personal and professional spheres, the Al Wehda winger is now performing at the highest level of his career. His experience and composure have contributed to his exceptional form, making him a standout player for his team.
In reality, he has been performing at this level for several years.
After making a strong impression during his initial stint with the Roshn Saudi League club in the 2019-20 season, the Australian footballer returned to his home country to play for his hometown team, Adelaide United. It was with Adelaide United that he significantly elevated his performance.
Recognized as the A-League’s best player for the 2022-23 season, Goodwin excelled in the competition like few others before him, netting 15 goals and providing 10 assists. At times, he seemed nearly unstoppable. Whether scoring directly or delivering his signature free-kicks and crosses, it often felt as though everything he touched turned to gold.
Ironically, this impressive form led to a return to the national team. Goodwin’s irresistible club performances caught the attention of coach Graham Arnold, who, after Goodwin had been on the fringes of the national squad for a while, called him back to the Socceroos for Australia’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Vietnam in Melbourne in January 2022.
As expected, Goodwin made a significant impact when he came off the bench midway through the second half. Despite Australia leading 2-0 at halftime, Vietnam took control early in the second half and came close to scoring. Australia, unexpectedly on the defensive and needing a spark, saw Goodwin enter the game as the game-changer.
His introduction in the 66th minute turned the game back in Australia’s favor. In just 10 minutes, Australia’s lead expanded to 4-0, with Goodwin scoring his first international goal and assisting Riley McGree, another Adelaide native. This surge helped Australia secure a comfortable victory.
Goodwin has only improved since then.
In a short span, he quickly established himself as one of Australia’s key players, as evidenced by his early selection for the Socceroos’ squad for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. During the tournament, he scored a goal against France in the opening match at Al Janoub Stadium. Also, he had a deflected effort against eventual champions Argentina in the Round of 16. Although officially recorded as an own goal, Goodwin’s long-range shot led to the deflection.
He took full advantage of the opportunity on the world stage. He became an essential part of the Australian national team. His importance to the squad has persisted as Arnold’s team aims to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026. On Thursday, they begin the Third Round of the Asian Qualifiers with a Group C opener at home against Bahrain, with Saudi Arabia also in the same group.
Speaking earlier this year about Goodwin, Arnold remarked: “It’s just the growth of him, in terms of leadership and mentality. I think, when I knew Craig Goodwin [when he was] younger, he didn’t believe in himself like he does these days.”
“Obviously he’s a top-quality player but he’s a fantastic player and a great leader, in and around the dressing room and on the pitch. His delivery, his set-pieces, are fantastic and obviously with his finishing, it’s just got better and better as he gets older.”
This is why Al Wehda made a concerted effort to re-sign Goodwin last year. Although the Mecca-based club struggled in the RSL previous season and finished 13th, their Australian recruit played a crucial role in helping secure the team’s top-flight status.
Goodwin scored six goals and provided three assists during the campaign despite missing a third of the season due to injury. His contributions were significant, with only Odion Ighalo surpassing him in goals. Ighalo led the team with 15 goals for Al Wehda last term. Even with his time on the sidelines, Goodwin’s performances were crucial for maintaining the team’s competitiveness.
Though leaving his hometown was a tough decision, particularly with a young and settled family, Goodwin couldn’t pass up the chance for a second stint in Saudi Arabia and the opportunity to challenge himself against some of the world’s best players.
“I think, especially from playing at the World Cup, and having a really good impact there against the same calibre of players, it gave me a lot of confidence that coming into these games week-in, week-out, knowing that I can perform at a top level,” Goodwin stated it to Arab News last year.
“It is really nice to be able to test myself against this quality and know that I’m more than matching it.”
Now fully fit and rejuvenated after spending the off-season in Italy with his wife and three-year-old son, exploring Lake Como and Venice, Goodwin has returned to the Kingdom with renewed energy. Both he and Al Wehda are benefiting from his refreshed state.
Wearing his signature No. 23 jersey, he delivered a man-of-the-match performance on the opening day of the 2024-25 season despite Al Wehda being held to a 3-3 draw by Al Riyadh.
He scored two goals, one before and one after halftime. He added an assist for Mourad Khodari in stoppage time, putting the hosts 3-2 ahead and on track for a perfect start. However, Lucas Kal’s unstoppable equalizer in the 97th minute changed the outcome.
Nevertheless, Goodwin’s performance highlighted his crucial role under new manager Josef Zinnbauer and suggested a positive outlook for the coming months. At 32 and clearly relishing his return to the RSL, Goodwin appears poised to significantly impact both club and country this season.
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and football sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Football News Today, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for football, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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