THE KEEPER OF A SECRET

Only Redmayne knew of switch

THE plan to use penaltysaving specialist Andrew Redmayne if the Socceroos needed a shootout to qualify for the World Cup was so secretive that not even team captain and first-choice goalkeeper Mat Ryan knew.

Sydney FC custodian Redmayne became the Socceroos’ unlikely hero on Tuesday morning when he saved a spot kick from Peru’s Alex Valera to seal Australia a berth in this year’s World Cup via a 5-4 penalty shootout win in Qatar.

In a move that has defined his legacy, Socceroos coach Graham replaced Ryan with Redmayne in the dying stages of extra time when the game was locked at 0-0 and heading for a penalty shootout.

“Andrew Redmayne is a very good penalty saver,” Arnold said.

So good that it was a key factor in the decision to name him as one of the three keepers in Australia’s World Cup playoffs squad.

Still, the decision to replace your long-time gloveman and skipper was a huge gamble.

And for those who had never seen Redmayne’s dancing pre-penalty antics on his goal line – which worked for Sydney against Perth in the 2019 A-League grand final – the risk seemed even greater.

But Arnold’s bold move paid off when Peru took its sixth penalty in a shootout that included misses from

Valera’s teammate Luis Advíncula, whose effort hit the post, and Australia’s Martin Boyle, whose spot kick was saved by Pedro Gallese.

“The idea was floated at least a month ago,” Redmayne said.

“(Socceroos goalkeeper coach) John Crawley threw out the theory behind it and he said to get ready for that, so it was always in the back of my head and for the UAE game (last week) and also this game.

“It was kind of planned between myself and the staff. I don’t think any other players knew about it.”

Including Ryan. But you wouldn’t have thought that the way he gave Redmayne a cuddle and encouraged him when the substitution was made.

“Maty was full of support coming off and then just before the penalties he was pumping me up and getting me ready, asking me if there was anything I needed,” Redmayne said.

Redmayne, 33, Ryan, 30, and the other goalkeeper in Australia’s squad – 37-yearold Danny Vukovic – were at one stage all in the same Central Coast Mariners squad being guided by Crawley.

The respect between the quartet is enormous.

“The goalkeeping union within his group … we’ve been through a hell of a lot the last few years,” Redmayne said.

“All four of us have copped our share of criticism over the years but we know the job, and we know how to get the best out of ourselves.

“I’m no hero. I just played my role like everyone else did.”