3 minute read

From struggling to realise his professional dream 11 years ago, Socceroos winger Craig Goodwin is ready to help Australia reach this year's World Cup.

Socceroos winger Craig Goodwin knows all about making sacrifices for his football career.

It was more than a decade ago when Goodwin was a 19-year-old working at a fast-food outlet in Melbourne, desperately trying to fulfil his dream of being a professional footballer.

Rejected by hometown club Adelaide United and having tried and failed to crack Europe's cut-throat youth systems, Goodwin was still working when he made his A-League debut with Melbourne Heart in the 2011-12 season.

It's a journey he'll draw inspiration from when Australia face the United Arab Emirates in Qatar on Wednesday morning AEST in a must-win World Cup play-off.

"I try to draw motivation from each setback that I've had and there has been a lot on the way," Goodwin told AAP.

"Being cut from state teams. Went on trial a few times overseas and was rejected.

"I couldn't make Adelaide United youth team two years in a row and then that's when I decided to try my luck in Melbourne. I was working at KFC while I was playing for Oakleigh and at Melbourne Heart's youth team.

"I was always looking at it as I wanted to be a professional footballer and it was whatever it takes.

"From my story I do try to draw motivation from that and to be involved in such a big occasion for the country is really exciting for me.

"I'll be drawing on everything that I've been through as motivation ... whether it's tracking back to make a last ditch tackle or to help out the defensive side of things or trying to get on the end of the cross to score a goal.

"It's drawing on everything you've been through throughout your career to push yourself in those key moments."

From being knocked by Adelaide, Goodwin is now a Reds legend.

In a massive 2021-22 season, Goodwin and partner Katelyn welcomed their son Ezra while on the field the 30-year-old recovered from a serious ankle injury to take over the club's captaincy.

He also became their all-time leading goalscorer and even notched his first Socceroos goal against Vietnam in January.

"It's been very rewarding, obviously, becoming a dad," he said.

"It's cliche to say that it changes you but I think it's brought a maturity to my game this season.

"It gives you a different outlook on things as well which maybe has helped with my football too.

"It's always always mentioned that if off-the-field life is good, then it shows on the field and I think that's the case for me at the moment."

For all his success over the past 12 months, the next goal - firing Australia to a fifth straight World Cup - is centre of Goodwin's attentions.

"We've got a massive game coming up against UAE, probably the biggest of my career," he said.

"The chance to send Australia to a World Cup ... it gives you goosebumps thinking about it.

"Everyone is really looking forward to this occasion and is ready to put it all on the line."