As we begin to look forward to our last camp before the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ in September, Socceroos winger Craig Goodwin has explained how important the matches will be for preparation.
The Socceroos will take on New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium on the evening of Thursday, 22 September (kick-off 8pm AEST).
In what will be the Socceroos’ farewell appearance to Australian fans before their November departure for the World Cup in Qatar, the match will also double as a Centenary celebration, with 2022 marking 100 years since Australia’s men’s national football team played their first ‘A’ international match.
Just three days after the Socceroos meet the All Whites in Queensland, the nations will play again at Auckland’s Eden Park.
With just four games of A-League Men football to be played before the September camp, Goodwin knows just how important the matches against New Zealand will be to stake a claim on a position in the World Cup squad.
“There's not a lot of football to be played before the World Cup, especially for players playing in the A-League,” Goodwin told 4BC Wide World of Sports.
We will only get probably four or maybe five A-League games before we have the break for the World Cup so to be involved in the September camp, I think it's crucial in terms of people trying to stake their claim to be in that final squad for Qatar.
“It's gonna be a really big game. I guess it is a friendly but at the same time, I think we'll see a very competitive match.”
After a stellar A-League season with Adelaide United, where he netted 10 goals and grabbed eight assists as he helped his side to a fourth-place finish on the ladder, Goodwin also stood up when his country needed him most.
The 30-year-old scored the crucial third penalty in the shootout victory over Peru to bring the Socceroos to their fifth straight FIFA World Cup, and he played 72 minutes in the 2-1 win over UAE in the knockout match prior.
Throughout the season both in red and Green and Gold, he showed his quality, consistent playmaking and clutch final product, with his last kick of the campaign helping to take the Socceroos to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Goodwin said firing the Socceroos to the World Cup in such dramatic fashion was one of the highlights of his career so far.
“I think everyone that was involved in that camp, knows just how special it was,” Goodwin said.
For me, personally it was probably one of the greatest moments in my footballing career.
“To be able to help the country reach another World Cup, it's just everything you dream of as a kid and to take one of the penalties and help us get through is something really special.
“There is really that buzz still floating about so with these games coming up in September, I think it's gonna be a really good atmosphere and response from the crowd.”