The Socceroos returned to Adelaide for the first time in seven years, looking for what Ange Postecoglou's side sought in 2017 against Saudi Arabia: a reprieve. Craig Goodwin rose to the occasion to continue his habit of sending the Adelaide locals home happy.
Craig Goodwin celebrates scoring for the Socceroos at Adelaide Oval. (Image: Brock Pearson Photography)
While Postecoglou's ailing Socceroos, having won only one of their previous five qualifying games, hosted Saudi Arabia, desperate for three points, the 2024 iteration of Australia's national men's team entered their clash against China in an even bigger predicament.
After reaching the third round of AFC World Cup qualifying with little fuss, it all came unravelling for Australia when they shockingly fell to Bahrain at home, before an uninspiring goalless draw away to Indonesia led to a burnt out Graham Arnold resigning from his post as the longest-serving Socceroos manager.
Unlike the vacant Matildas job, where Football Australia has made it clear that the process of hiring a new permanent coach will be prolonged, Tony Popovic was appointed as Arnold's replacement within days. His first task was breathing life into a lifeless third phase of qualification.
Adelaide Oval was the backdrop when the Socceroos looked to return to winning ways against a China side that suffered a crushing seven-goal loss to Japan before surrendering an early lead to fall to a 10-man Saudi Arabia side.
Popovic rewarded the locals' patience, starting four of his seven South Australian Socceroos in Joe Gauci, Thomas Deng, Craig Goodwin, and Nestory Irankunda.
Despite the hype and the early Socceroos chances, China scored when Xie Wenneng ghosted past the Australian defence to expertly place an effort beyond Gauci's grasp.
The home crowd would be forgiven for feeling a sense of déjà vu, having only watched the Matildas go down to China through an early goal at the same venue months earlier.
The goal stopped a positive Socceroos start in its tracks. Lacking confidence and with teething issues trying to apply a new-look system, featuring inverted inside forwards, three central defenders, and wing-backs, Australia struggled to move the ball with purpose for most of the half.
In a city where he has so often made an impact, and in a game he has continuously advocated for, Craig Goodwin was always going to have a say, and he did just that in injury time. The Al-Wehda man picked out Lewis Miller with a free-kick; the Hibernian defender equalising with a powerful header on the stroke of half-time.
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Popovic used his first substitutions to great effect, replacing Nestory Irankunda with Riley McGree, who successfully created space with his movement and deft touches, and Thomas Deng for Jason Geria, who added a sense of composure to the backline in his long-awaited Socceroos recall.
The Socceroos exploited that newfound space when an incisive Irvine pass picked out Goodwin, who had space that many teams have been punished with providing for the winger during his career.
Goodwin successfully turned the match on its head with a phenomenal strike before debutant Nishan Velupillay sealed the game with his side's third goal.
The two second half goals sent a 46,291-strong crowd - a record for the Socceroos in South Australia - home happy seeing their side pick up a crucial victory.
Judged as the Player of the Match, Goodwin reflected on being able to play a starring role in a game he advocated so strongly for.
"We knew the importance of this game, and obviously, to do it in Adelaide was really, really special. I have advocated for more games, being that it's been seven years since we have played one, so hopefully, this is the catalyst to play here," he said post-match.
"There is such good support in South Australia for football, and obviously, a lot of players as well are coming through the ranks (in South Australia) that can do what the 7-10 in and around the squad are doing at the moment."
Meanwhile, Popovic reflected on Goodwin's contributions to the Socceroos.
"Craig scored a wonderful goal, and we know he has that ability. I am very pleased he scored it tonight in an important match. His contribution throughout the game was very good; the goal tops it off, and I'm sure it was a special moment for him with his family here," he said.
While overjoyed, Goodwin is not resting on his laurels with a formidable opponent in Japan waiting at Saitama Stadium on Tuesday evening.
"At the end of the day, this is something that we've got to enjoy now and tomorrow, and then we have to move on to the next, as in football, everything happens so quickly. If we go to Japan and don't perform well, then this is for nothing, so we have to back it up in the next match and focus on what's in front of us."
While Popovic's time in charge began with a win, his side's second opponent could not be more formidable. Australia have not defeated Japan since 2009, with a competitive victory against the Samurai Blue in Japanese territory yet to be tasted by a Socceroos coach.
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