Socceroos hero Craig Goodwin says he is ready to turn his attention to the A-League as the Brisbane Roar prepare to face Adelaide United's talisman.
Roar coach Warren Moon, preparing for Friday night's clash at Redcliffe, said he regarded Goodwin as the leading player in the A-League even before his outstanding displays for Australia at the World Cup.
For his part, the Adelaide skipper said he was ready to recalibrate and turn his focus towards his club side after the euphoria of lifting the Socceroos to the last-16 in Qatar.
"That's making sure I get the recovery in and get myself right for the game (on Friday) and then whatever role I'm playing, whether it's from the start or whether it's off the bench," Goodwin said.
"I know what I need to do."
Goodwin said he would discuss with the coaching staff what his involvement in the game would be, as the A-League Men returns to action after the World Cup. United are third on the ladder.
"I do want to put my hand up to play," he said. "I want to pick up as many points with the team as possible and help them wherever I can.
"That's always the main goal. We've started the season really well. We're in a great position to kick on and have a really good season."
Moon said the Roar would relish the chance to compete against a player they respect.
"We expect him to play and we have been planning for him to play," Moon told AAP.
"Most people think that Craig Goodwin is the best player in the A-League. He influences games by assisting or scoring on a regular basis.
"It is quite clear what he means to Adelaide and it is great for the A-League that he did well at the World Cup and is back playing here.
"He always seems to have good games against Brisbane so the challenge we have now is to try and stop him, stick to what we do well and win the game."
The ninth-placed Roar have mostly defended with resilience this season and found their goalscoring mojo in a 3-1 win over Melbourne Victory before the competition's four-week World Cup recess.
"We took confidence from that," Moon said.
"We have a real good work ethic about us. There are no egos in the side, our good defensive record shows that.
"We need to build our combinations in the final third and when we consistently score goals we can pick up wins."
