‘I’m raring to go’: Goodwin makes World Cup pledge after Victory domination

How about that for an Original Rivalry result – Adelaide United have dominated Melbourne Victory in a statement 3-0 win in front of a packed house at Coopers Stadium.

Hiroshi Ibusuki’s powerful header put the Reds in command at the break, before Craig Goodwin took over in the second half, scoring from the spot and assisting Ben Warland at the death as the visitors faded late, succumbing to a third loss in six games to start the campaign.

Catch up with all the reaction and biggest talking points below.

‘I don’t just want to be there – I want to contribute’ – Goodwin’s World Cup pledge after tearing Victory apart

Craig Goodwin spent Friday night hurtling into challenges, committing to 50/50’s, and like usual this season, scoring and assisting goals in Adelaide United’s thumping 3-0 win over Melbourne Victory.

What made the Reds captain’s 90-minute shift at Coopers Stadium all the more impressive was the timing of it, less than two weeks out from the Socceroos’ date with destiny at the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup.

Goodwin was announced as one member of head coach Graham Arnold’s 26-player squad in midweek; the 30-year-old sees it as his first and only opportunity to go to a World Cup – but there was no chance of him wrapping himself in cotton wool for the Original Rivalry on Friday night.

“I’m the captain of this side, we’re coming up against our rivals,” Goodwin told Paramount+ post-match. “I can’t take a backward step, I can’t show the boys I’m pulling out of tackles. What are they going to think of me if I am? What are the fans going to think?’ I was mentally preparing myself for that. 

I wanted to show I want to win this fixture more than any other fixture.

Goodwin departs for Qatar having appeared in all six of Adelaide’s league fixtures to date this season. He’s scored three goals and notched two assists in his past three displays, firstly to prove to Arnold he deserved a spot on the plane. But now he’s chasing bigger ambitions.

“A dream come true I think for any player,” he said. “And for me, I personally thought being 30 it’s probably, not impossible, but provably my last chance to go to a World Cup, so a great sense of pride to be there. 

I said to Arnie on the phone call, I don’t just want to be there. I want to be able to contribute. I want to be able to help the country do something special.

“If we can, time will tell with that – but I’m raring to go.”

‘It’s something I’ve been working for my whole life’: Adelaide teen follows his father’s footsteps to make full Reds debut

Richard Alagich played 107 games for Adelaide United, making his debut in the club’s first ever game all the way back in the days of the National Soccer League in 2003. 

On Friday night came a special moment for the Alagich family, as the torch passed on to Richard’s son Ethan, just 18 years of age, who showed composure beyond his years in a classy display on his starting debut for the club in the A-League Men.

Alagich first earned a scholarship contract with the club after impressing the the NPL for the club’s youth side, going on to make his senior debut as a substitute in the FFA Cup Round of 32 against Floreat Athena in 2021.

He became the third father-son combination in Reds history, and second to appear on the park after Bernardo Oliveira and father Cassio.

“It’s incredible. It’s a dream come true,” Alagich told Paramount+ after his full debut in a 3-0 Original Rivalry triumph. “I’ve dreamt of this day for so long now, so to make my starting debut, it’s unbelievable. And in front of this crowd as well, it’s crazy.”

One of the more impressive facets of the teenager’s display on Friday night was the occasion in which it came: against bitter foes Melbourne Victory at a heaving Coopers Stadium.

“I think it’s the best fixture in the league,” Alagich continued. “The Original Rivalry, you can’t get much better than that. Just the atmostphere and the crowd, it’s unbelievable.

“It’s something I’ve been working for my whole life. To finally make that happen is incredible.”

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