‘Mayne man saves Socceroos’ bacon
SUBSTITUTE goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne was the unlikely hero as the Socceroos beat Peru in a dramatic penalty shootout to qualify for a fifth successive World Cup.
Brought on to replace captain Mat Ryan in the final minute of extra-time by Socceroos coach Graham Arnold with scores locked at 0-0 and the shootout in mind, Redmayne delivered, saving an Alex Valera penalty to seal Australia’s 5-4 shootout win.
Bringing on Redmayne, a hero of Sydney FC’s 2019 ALeague grand final penalty shootout win, proved a masterstroke by Arnold, who survived calls for his axing during Australia’s rollercoaster qualifying campaign.
The shootout started badly for the Socceroos, with Martin Boyle having his spot kick saved by Peru’s captain and goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.
However, through Aaron Mooy, Craig Goodwin, Ajdin Hrustic, Jamie Maclaren and Awer Mabil, the Socceroos didn’t miss another penalty in a shootout that needed sudden-death to decide it.
The Socceroos had got back into the shootout when Peru’s Luis Advinculla hit the post with a penalty that may have also got a touch from Redmayne.
Redmayne, whose tactics include moving side-to-side on the goal line to put Peru’s penalty takers off, was later to stamp himself on Australian football folklore with the shootout-deciding save to deny the shattered Valera.
But while it was tears of despair for Peru, it was tears of joy for the Socceroos, who booked their place in the November 21-December 18 World Cup in Qatar.
It was a deserved qualification, with the Socceroos having had the better of the 120 minutes against the South Americans.
In a cagey first half, right winger Boyle was Australia’s main attacking threat.
Having forced his way into Peru’s penalty area with a dangerous run in the 32nd minute, Boyle forced a heavy but fair tackle from midfielder Christofer Gonzales to halt his momentum.
Boyle was again prominent eight minutes later with a dangerous cross that found midfielder Jackson Irvine.
However, Irvine, who had cleverly drifted into space, failed to make a decent connection with his header. The Socceroos finally forced a save out of Peru goalkeeper Gallese in the 81st minute.
However, playmaker Hrustic’s long-distance freekick was comfortably held by the custodian.
The Australians had two more chances before the end of normal time.
Left-back Aziz Behich hit the outside of the post in the 85th minute while three minutes later Hrustic forced a save out of Gallese after the playmaker was found unmarked on the edge of the penalty area by sub Mabil.