Adelaide United captain Craig Goodwin sympathises with fans angered by the decision to sell the A-League grand final

Adelaide United star Craig Goodwin remains disappointed with the hosting rights for the A-League grand final being sold to the NSW government.

Craig Goodwin and his Adelaide United teammates must beat Wellington on Friday night to remain alive in the A-League finals series. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Socceroos star Craig Goodwin has reiterated his disappointment with the decision to sell the A-League grand final hosting rights to the NSW government, saying it was set to rob a club of a deserved advantage in the decider.

The A-League finals series starts on Friday night when Goodwin’s Adelaide United hosts Wellington Phoenix in a do-or-die affair at Coopers Stadium.

The grand final will be played on June 3 at a yet-to-be-announced Sydney venue following the Australian Professional Leagues decision to sell the game’s hosting rights.

The NSW government reportedly paid about $15 million to host the men’s and women’s grand finals for three years.

The team with currently the most to lose is Melbourne City, whose effort to top the men’s table would usually earn them grand final hosting rights, provided they won their two-legged semi-final.

The APL’s decision led to several fan protests this season, with Sydney FC’s active supporter group, “The Cove”, having announced its decision to boycott the finals series.

Adelaide United’s Craig Goodwin (right) hopes to inspire his side against Wellington Phoenix. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Goodwin, who went public with his anger with the APL’s decision in December, again expressed his annoyance on Wednesday about the grand final being sold.

“I’ve made my feelings quite clear in the previous months, and it does takeaway the home advantage, which is something that you work so hard for in the regular season,” the Reds captain said.

“Having the finals series, that’s what you push so hard for, to get that first or second spot, to get that best possible chance of hosting a grand final.

“Unfortunately, it is what it is for the time being.”

Goodwin said fans felt “hurt”, “unheard” and “undervalued” by the APL’s selling of the grand final.

“From a players’ perspective, of course always we want to have a packed stadium but if that’s the way that they want to get their message across (by boycotting games) then that’s up to them to decide,” he said.

Goodwin said he was focused on the Reds keeping their season alive this week after failing to secure a top-two finish following last Friday’s 4-1 home loss to the Central Coast Mariners, who moved into second place at Adelaide’s expense.

“It was just an off night. Having that kind of result now ... is better than having it in the finals series,” he said.

“For me personally, it lights a fire under the belly wanting to rectify that result, especially at home in front of our fans, who have been fantastic all year.”