Australia vs New Zealand match preview, start time, Mohamed Toure Craig Goodwin relationship, latest،
LONDON — In the final minutes of Australia’s 1-0 loss to England on Sunday morning, Socceroos veteran Craig Goodwin did something special; and not on the ground.
The 31-year-old made a sensational change against the world’s fourth-ranked team and was taking a well-deserved rest on the bench for the remainder of the match.
But Goodwin climbed back from the pin and trotted to the corner flag. In his sights was 19-year-old Mohamed Touré, the young striker warming up on the bench – a ball of energy about to be unleashed on his Socceroos debut.
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Goodwin enveloped the teenage talent in a warm embrace and offered him a soothing final word.
“Good luck buddy, enjoy it.”
And when Touré’s number was called and he entered the famous Wembley paddock, no one among the 81,116 spectators had a bigger smile than Goodwin, who previously played alongside the teenager at Adelaide United.
Goodwin said: “I was buzzing! … I’m really happy for him, I’ve obviously known him for a while and played with him in Adelaide. But you know, I could see his face, he was so excited when the boss called his name.
“But just a great moment for him, and I’m really happy I could be there to share it with him.”
Goodwin was Touré’s captain at Adelaide United, where the youngster put his name in the spotlight in February 2020 by becoming the youngest goalscorer in the men’s A-League – scoring the back of the net before his 16th birthday.
Born in Guinea to Liberian refugee parents, it has been a remarkable journey to grace the stage of one of football’s most hallowed grounds.
Speaking today, Touré said he would never have dreamed of making his debut for the Socceroos – let alone at Wembley.
He says with a laugh: “I don’t think I would have imagined making my debut, period!” But at Wembley it’s even more special. I would never have thought that.
He added: “It was an incredible feeling, it was one of those sensations that you can’t really describe. Making my debut in Australia, it could have been at any stadium and it would have felt special, but to have it at Wembley as well was even better. It was like a surreal experience.
These days, Touré is learning his trade and fighting to play for Paris FC in the French second division, on loan from Ligue 1 club Reims. So when he got the call from Socceroos coach Graham Arnold it came as a shock.
“I was a little surprised, you know. It was unexpected because I didn’t really play football. It just shows that the coach believes in me and knows I have something,” he said.
Arnold is not the only one who believes in the child.
Speaking about the moments before his debut, Touré said: “As I was about to come on, he (Goodwin) got up from the bench and he came towards me, he made me a hug and wished me luck.
“It meant a lot to me because it wasn’t a normal thing to do.
“After the match he just told me congratulations and to continue. I really appreciate that.”
It’s clear that Touré and Goodwin have a special bond, dating back to their days on the pitch with the Reds. But Toure, who grew up in South Australia, admitted today he admired Adelaide’s all-time leading goalscorer long before they played together.
Touré said: “You know, I’ve known Goody for so long, before he even knew who I was! At United, growing up, I watched those players.
“Then we became teammates and I was very close to him because he’s someone I admire. In training, I watched what he did on and off the field.
“I became close to him and would ask him for advice. I think he looked like, “Here’s my little brother now.”
“He looks up to me and he knows I look up to him, so he tried to be the best example he could be for me. He just takes care of me on and off the field and he always talks to me.
It may have been just a cameo off the bench against England, but Toure showed flashes of his prodigious talent.
As for Goodwin, he is most convinced that there is much more to come from his Socceroos ‘little brother’.
“He’s someone with enormous potential,” Goodwin said.
“He’s someone who I think could be the Socceroos striker for the next 10 years. If he can be here, learn and grow from this, then go back, gain confidence and start producing massively at club level, I think that’s just the beginning for Mo.
The Australian Socceroos take on New Zealand from 5:45am AEDT on Wednesday October 18.
