A World Cup ticket that is decided on the basis of penalties. The play-off match between Australia and Peru ended in a real thriller. In the end, The Socceroos showed their coolest, thanks to the special technique of substitute goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne.
It was clear that there was tension in this match. The regular time ended in a boring 0-0. Even after the extra time, there was no winner. A penalty shootout had to decide the World Cup ticket.
The Australian national coach Graham Arnold did a ‘Louis Van Gaaltje’ and took his first goalkeeper, Matthew Ryan (ex-Club Brugge and KRC Genk) to the side. His replacement was Andrew Redmayne, a 33-year-old goalkeeper who has been between the posts in Australia all his life.
To dance
The substitute goalkeeper didn’t seem to be bothered by the pressure on his shoulders. Thanks to his very striking style – Redmayne danced from pole to pole – he took the third Peruvian penalty.
An important turning point in the penalty shootout because the Australians had missed their first penalty. Redmayne again tied the score.
The next five penalties all went against the nets without any problems. The team that would miss first could forget the World Cup in Qatar. The Peruvian Alex Valera also realized this. His penalty ended up in the hands of the Australian goalkeeper.
Not again Peru
Australia to the World Cup. For that it can especially thank its substitute goalkeeper. Andrew Redmayne crowned himself the nation’s hero with two saved penalties.
At the World Cup next winter, Australia will end up in group D, where it will meet defending champions France and Denmark, just like at the 2018 World Cup. The fourth country in that group at the time was…Peru.
