In form of his life, Goodwin firing for club and country

Now aged 32, and with a settled life on and off the pitch, Al Wehda winger Craig Goodwin is in the form of his life.

In truth, he has been for a few years now.

After impressing during his first stint with the Roshn Saudi League club during the 2019-20 season, the Australian footballer returned to his native country to play for hometown club, Adelaide United. It was there that he elevated his game to a new level.

Named the A-League’s best player for the 2022-23 campaign, Goodwin dominated the competition like few players had done before him, with 15 goals and 10 assists. At times, he was almost unstoppable. Whether he was scoring himself or whipping in his trademark free-kicks and crosses, it felt as if everything he touched turned to gold.

Which, ironically, led to a return to the green and gold. Goodwin’s club form was so irresistible that, after flirting around the edges of his national team for so long, coach Graham Arnold recalled him to the Socceroos squad for Australia’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Vietnam in Melbourne in January 2022.

True to form, Goodwin changed the game when he came off the bench midway through the second half. Despite Australia holding a 2-0 half-time lead, Vietnam dominated the early proceedings after the break and were unlucky not to grab at least one goal back. Australia were, surprisingly, on the back foot and in need of a game changer. Enter Goodwin.

His introduction in the 66th minute swung the contest back in Australia’s favour. Within 10 minutes, Australia’s lead had ballooned to 4-0, with Goodwin scoring - his first goal at international level - and then providing an assist for Riley McGree, a fellow Adelaide native, as Australian ran out comfortable winners.

Goodwin has only gotten better since.

Within almost no time at all, he had become one of Australia’s most important players, evidenced by the fact he was among the first named for the Socceroos’ squad for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Then, at the finals, came the goal against France in the opening game at the Al Janoub Stadium, and his deflected effort against eventual champions Argentina in the last 16. Officially marked down as an own goal, it had been caused by Goodwin’s long-range shot.

He had seized the moment on the biggest stage and made himself an indispensable part of the Australian national team. That significance to the side has continued, as Arnold’s team look ahead now to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026. On Thursday, they kick-start the Third Round of Asian Qualifiers with a Group C opener at home to Bahrain (incidentally, Saudi Arabia are in the same pool).

In reference to Goodwin, and speaking earlier this year, Arnold said: “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.”

Which is why, this time last year, Al Wehda fought so hard to bring Goodwin back to the club. The Mecca-based club may have struggled in the RSL last season, finishing 13th, but their Australian import more than played his part in ensuring his team's top-flight status.

Goodwin scored six goals and recorded three assists across the campaign, a third of which he missed through injury; only Odion Ighalo, with 15 goals, scored more for Al Wehda last term.

While leaving his hometown was a difficult decision to make, especially with a young and settled family, Goodwin couldn’t turn down the opportunity of a second stint in Saudi Arabia - and the chance to test 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 told 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 refreshed after an off-season spent with his wife and three-year-old son in Italy, taking in Lake Como and Venice, Goodwin has come back to the Kingdom with renewed vigour. And both he and Al Wehda are reaping the benefits.

Wearing his now-trademark No.23 jersey, he turned in a man-of-the-match performance on the opening day of the 2024-25 season, even if Al Wehda were eventually held to a 3-3 draw by Al Riyadh.

Two goals either side of half-time were topped off by an assist for Mourad Khodari deep into stoppage-time, putting the hosts 3-2 up and seemingly on course for a perfect start. Until, that is, Lucas Kal’s unstoppable, 97th-minute leveller.

Still, Goodwin’s performance underlined his importance to new manager Josef Zinnbauer and his team, and bodes well for the months ahead. At 32, and clearly enjoying his RSL return, Goodwin looks set to play a huge role for club and country this campaign.