Goodwin Shines as Socceroos Cruise Past Lebanon

In a performance that left spectators in awe, Craig Goodwin reaffirmed his status as one of the Socceroos’ most potent attacking threats, netting a brace and providing two exquisite assists in Australia’s resounding 5-0 victory over Lebanon. The Adelaide United winger’s pinpoint delivery and clinical finishing once again raised questions about how he had not cemented his place in the national team setup until recently, and why a sustained European career had eluded him.

The night was made even more special for Kusini Yengi and John Iredale, who both celebrated their first international goals for the Socceroos. Iredale, just 21 years old and making only his second appearance for Australia, could not hold back tears of joy as he was enveloped in a bearhug by Jackson Irvine after turning in a cross from Patrick Yazbek at the back post.

The comprehensive win ensured that the Socceroos officially booked their place in the next phase of Asian World Cup qualification with two games to spare. Four wins from four, without conceding a single goal across the 360 minutes of football, was a remarkable achievement, made even more special by the record-breaking crowd of 25,023 – the largest ever for a football match in the nation’s capital.

However, the night was not without its blemishes. Ajdin Hrustic, another creative force in the Australian lineup, was stretchered off the field in the 51st minute, unable to support his weight on his left leg after being scythed down by Ali Tneich. Hrustic’s tears were a stark contrast to Iredale’s, reflecting the pain and injustice of an injury that could potentially sideline him for an extended period, just as he had returned to the national setup after 10 months of injury frustration at club level.

With the Socceroos not in action again until June, Graham Arnold will be hoping that Hrustic’s injury is not too severe, as the playmaker’s recovery could be crucial for the final group games against Bangladesh and Palestine. The extended break will also give Arnold time to ponder how to maintain his side’s newfound goal-scoring momentum, following the offensive explosion in Canberra after a rather blunt performance in Sydney last week.

The night started perfectly for Arnold when Goodwin was played into space down the left by Connor Metcalfe less than two minutes into the game, before delivering an inch-perfect ball into the run of Yengi, who fired home from close range on his second attempt.

However, that early goal did not presage an offensive onslaught, as the contest settled into a pattern reminiscent of the previous match against Lebanon. Harry Souttar would head a Goodwin cross onto the post late in the half, but the only other real chance of note came when a Cameron Burgess ball bounced off the head of Tneich and fell kindly for the defender, whose effort was straight at keeper Mostafa Matar.

The second half, though, saw the Socceroos find their groove. Bassel Jradi inadvertently turned the ball into his own net in the 47th minute after Souttar had a headed effort saved, before Hrustic set up Goodwin a minute later. Yazbek then teed up Iredale for his memorable moment in the 68th minute, and Goodwin, fittingly, sealed the contest after latching onto Iredale’s cross that Walid Shour failed to clear in the 81st.

As the Socceroos now turn their attention to the next phase of World Cup qualification, Goodwin’s form and the emergence of promising talents like Yengi and Iredale will provide cause for optimism. However, the injury cloud hanging over Hrustic will be a concern, as Arnold looks to navigate his side through the remaining qualifiers and secure a place at the 2026 World Cup in North America.