Australia’s Andrew Redmayne celebrates after saving a penalty during the shootout.
Doha: Australia coach Graham Arnold’s decision to bring in substitute goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne against Peru late in the first intercontinental play-off paid off.
Redmayne, who replaced captain Mathew Ryan three minutes from the end of the game, took Australia to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 with his dancing-on-the-line style during the penalty shootout, which the Socceroos won 5-4 following a goalless draw after extra time at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.
The Sydney FC star saw Gianluca Lapadula hitting the post, with Peru in advantage after their goalkeeper Pedro Gallese blocked Martin Boyle’s opening hit from the spot. The 33-year-old then sealed Australia’s fifth consecutive appearance at the World Cup by blocking Alex Valera’s penalty in the sudden death, diving to his right.
“I don’t have words to express my feelings. But I don’t take credit for the win as the players fought hard for 120 minutes. I just played my role like everyone else,” a jubilant Redmayne said after the win last night.
Australia, becoming 31st nation to qualify for the World Cup, will join France, Denmark and Tunisia in Group D. They face world champions France in their opening match on November 22 at the Al Janoub Stadium.
Australia players celebrate after qualifying to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 after defeating Peru in a shootout, yesterday.
Meanwhile, with their supporters outnumbering Australian fans at the 50,000-seat venue, Peru, coached by Ricardo Gareca, tried hard but Australia remained disciplined throughout the epic battle to advance.
A couple of exchanges followed the kick off, with Lapadula heading a cross which sailed over the bar in the fourth minute. Australia, however gained control of the match with a better ball possession percentage, testing Peruvian defence at times.
Peru’s Christian Cueva created an opportunity in 25th minute as la Blanquirroja started to find the groove threatening the Socceroos with their surges.
Late in the first half, Australia created a couple of opportunities with Boyle taking the centre stage.
Australia, who performed better in the first half, had six shots as compared to Peru’s couple of shots, though all missed the target in the opening session.
Peru won corners in quick successions soon in the second half but were denied a goal by the solid Australia defence.
Ryan thwarted an opportunity, giving no room to Christofer Gonzales, who was in a dangerous position to receive a cross.
Cueva made a brilliant run into the box but his shot from a difficult angle hit the side netting in 69th minute as Australia continued to give a disciplined show in defence.
With ten minutes remaining in time, Ajdin Hrustic fired game’s first shot on target off a free kick but Gallese had no difficulty in catching the ball. But a few minutes later, the goalkeeper had to make a diving save on his left from Hrustic’s hit as match entered the extra time.
After Edison Flores hit Peru’s first shot on target in first half of extra-time, the substitute almost put his side ahead in the second session but his spectacular header hit the post before Redmayne came in for the penalties.
The last Qatar 2022 slot will be decided tonight in second intercontinental play-off between Costa Rica and New Zealand at the same venue.
