Despite scoring a late match-winning penalty, Craig Goodwin insists he was not pleased with his own performance while praising Adelaide United’s resolve.
The Reds recorded a 2-1 victory over Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday night.
The 27-year-old netted his first goal in seven matches after showing nerves of steel to calmly convert his penalty in the 91st minute.
Nikola Mileusnić had given his team the lead until Roy O’Donovan equalised for the Jets in the 76th minute.
Goodwin believed his team played decent in patches though struggled at times to control the match.
“I’ll be honest it was very difficult,” Goodwin told Fox Sports after the game, as United registered their first win at the venue since March 2015.
“In terms of the team performance I think it was good in patches and obviously when they scored I think we lost our for shape a bit – for a good ten minutes.
“But credit to us to comeback. For myself I’m not happy with my performance but (Ryan) Kitto wins the penalty and I’ve been practising penalties since I got here.
“I’m happy to score and for us to get three points because that’s the most important thing at this moment in time.”
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Goodwin admitted he is his own harshest critic, lamenting his display but praised the team for their ability to put in another gutsy shift after the 2-2 Boxing Day draw with Western Sydney Wanderers.
“I’m always harsh on my own performance but I’ll keep it about the team,” he said.
“I think we showed good character to back it up after a short turnaround in two games in really hot conditions.”
Goodwin also said he was disappointed not to make the final 23-man AFC Asian Cup 2019 squad.
The winger said his sole focus now is to continuing to work hard and help the Reds win games.
“Obviously disappointing, I want to be there,” he said.
“I started the season quite well, but for the last couple of weeks I haven’t been able to contribute with goals and assists.
“I think that’s football and during the season you’ve little bits where it’s up and down and the coach said the same thing to me.
“I just have to keep going and keep doing my best and try and contribute to the team, obviously happy to score tonight.
“But I think this is a game I’ll try and put in the back of my mind and try and improve next week.”
Adelaide United host Wellington Phoenix in Round 11 of the Hyundai A-League 2018/19 season on Saturday, 5 January at Coopers Stadium. Kick-off is at 5.05pm ACDT. Gates open 4.05pm.
