Australia vs Peru: Redmayne’s hero takes Socceroos to World Cup with penalty shootout win over Peru
Australia maintained its fifth consecutive World Cup run after beating Peru 5-4 on penalties at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Monday.
With the score deadlocked 0-0, coach Graham Arnold of Australia launched goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne, who had just made two appearances, to replace Mathew Ryan in the last minute of extra time.
Australia vs Peru highlights: Socceroos beat Qatar 2022 with 5-4 victory on penalties
The 33-year-old Redmayne’s unorthodox approach towards goal justified Arnold’s action as he made two saves in the penalty shootout to give the Socceroos a crucial win.
Arnold wanted his men to do it the ‘Australian way’; causing difficulty and a physical battle for opponents for 90 minutes (and beyond). Australians maintain their shape and are patient in the construction. Aaron Mooy is running shows in the middle of the park, and they’re menacing from the corners and hard to break.
As Arnold alluded to in the previous game, Australia had the advantage by having played many times in these conditions and were sharper from the first whistle. Peru, who were playing their first match in Qatar, looked old and made some mistakes in passing.
When the Aussies left the field at half-time with their performance, the Peruvians were unimpressed with their efforts. Skier Pedro Gallese called back for a quick chat before they headed into the locker room.
With a proven point, Peru proved stronger in the second period.
The South Americans had two corners in the first five minutes, and found themselves between the channels and counter-attacking opportunities, but the Australians rallied to deny any real openings in front of goal . While Peru was interested in making it a final one, the Aussies were content with slowing the game.
The game’s first shot on target came in the 80th minute when Ajdin Hrustic found Gallese’s glove from a free kick before left-back Aziz Behich shot from long distance. Peru’s first attempt to score was in the 99th minute.
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Peru found a much-needed supplement in the final 15 minutes of extra time and ramped up efforts towards goal. Edison Flores closed in on the post from close range but the Aussies once again slowed down.
As the penalties drew near, Arnold brought in Redmayne, who had become a hero by turning down Luis Advincula and Alex Valera, to send the Aussies to another World Cup.
(The writer is in Qatar at the invitation of the Supreme Commission on Delivery & Legacy)
