Goodwin’s stellar night out has the reds marching on to the semis | OneFootball

Craig Goodwin once again proved that he’s the man for the big occasion, putting in a clinical performance with Adelaide United running out 2-0 victors over the Wellington Phoenix at Hindmarsh Stadium in their elimination final clash.

In front of the faithful on a rainy night, it was the Reds winger who had the biggest influence on the result, the Socceroo seemingly involved in everything when the Reds pressed forward.

Neded to lift having started slow out of the blocks, it would be the captain who’d lead the way in the 19th minute and wrestle momentum for his side. Finding space on the left hand side of box, he’d cut inside and fire a low and hard ball which left Nix shotstopper Oli Sail with no chance. Pulling a brilliant strike from a tight angle, it would help lift the spirits of the side who were on the back foot to start with.

Before the Goodwin strike, it was the visitors who looked the more threatening to break the deadlock. Oskar Zawada came up with a few early chances, though United would get out of jail as Joe Gauci was up to the task, coming up with several crucial saves inside the opening 20 minutes.

Once they scored the opener, it’d provide a much needed spark for Adelaide who were in cruise control before the deadlock was broken. The shots on goal dried up in the opening half thereafter for Wellington.

Though the ball lived in the Reds attacking end for the rest of the half, they’d have little reward to show for it. Peppering the goals, Goodwin would be in the thick of it, but they’d be unable to double their advantage going into the main break, taking a 1-0 lead into half time.

Adelaide would pick up right from where they left off in the second half. Having never been a side to sit on their lead, United would be out out to extend their lead after the interval.

They would finally double their advantage via the penalty spot. Having been played perfectly by Nestor Irankunda through ball just above the half way, Goodwin would go on a dangerous run and close in a goal before being brought down by Callan Elliot.

Having failed to clear the ball which led to the opening goal of the game, it’d be a night to forget for Elliot who’d then be directly responsible for United’s second goal.

Goodwin would take the spot kick and make no mistake, doubling his side’s advantage just after the hour mark.

It would prove too much out of a mountain to climb for the Nix, they’d push late to peg a goal back and spark a comeback, it wasn’t to be. United running out victors and booking a spot in the semi finals for a third straight season.

Key Takeaways

Craig Goodwin comes up trumps again in the big games

Having been a player for the big occasion for both club and country, Reds superstar Craig Goodwin put in a masterful performance. The winger influential when the side pressed forward.

Breaking the deadlock inside of the opening 20 minutes of the game, he’d pull off a stunning strike from a difficult angle. With the Nix defence failing to clear the cross, it was land on a plate for Goodwin, and having been given too much space, the Reds captain would come up with a massive captain’s goal.

With Adelaide having looked unsettled in the opening stages of the first half, they needed the captain do to something to provide a spark, and he’d deliver for them. He’d go on to a have brilliant night out, capped off with a brace in the second half, scoring from the penalty spot.

Having had a brilliant 2022-23 campaign thus far, Goodwin’s regular season form looks to have translated to the finals.

Joe Gauci keeps his nerve in between the sticks

While Goodwin was massive for United on the attacking front, Joe Gauci was just as important for his side in between the sticks. Having played beyond his years this campaign, the 22-year-old was again impressive.

Coming up with some important saves, he’d keep a clean sheet for the fourth time this season.

And having looked shaky in defence this season, the back-four in front of him of Ryan Kitto, Ben Warland, Nick Ansell and Javi Lopez were rock solid in defence.

Ensuring the Nix wouldn’t get too many decent looks at goal, just one of the Nix shots hit the target the entire night.

It would be their first clean sheet in 14 matches, having been reliant on their dangerous attack throughout the season, their defence stood up when called up.

Semi finals bound again

Having cruised past the Phoenix, the Reds have now booked their spot in the semi finals for a third consecutive season.

The semi final fixture has proven a tough obstacle to overcome for the Reds, having been edged out by Sydney FC back in the 2020-21 season going down 2-1 at Jubilee Stadium, the side would then come close to knocking out Melbourne City last season going down in extra time of the second leg.

Having come so close to a Grand Final berth in recent seasons, United will be hoping they can go one better when they face the Central Coast Mariners.

With the first of the two-leg semi final ties being played at their home deck, United will be hoping the can knock off the Mariners and get off to a great start.