Australia vs Peru, FIFA World Cup: Socceroos edges Peru, seals Qatar 2022 spot with a 5-4 win on penalties

 Australia qualified for a fifth straight World Cup after a 5-4 penalty shootout win over Peru in ir intercontinental playoff on Monday.

teams failed to score in regulation and extra time at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, and goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne, sent on as a substitute for captain Mat Ryan in dying seconds of extra time, proved to be star for Australia by saving last penalty from Alex Valera.

“I’m t a hero,” Redmayne said. “I just played my role like everyone else did tonight. I’m t going to take credit for this.”

Taking off established . 1 Ryan for Redmayne, who had made just two previous international appearances, was a major gamble from Socceroos coach Graham Arld.

Redmayne’s unconventional dancing and jumping along goal-line with his aims and legs flailing as Peru players stepped up, however, worked.

“Andrew Redmayne is a very good penalty saver,” an emotional Arld said in a post-match TV interview, explaining that he made change to put a “bit of uncertainty into ir brains, get into mental aspect of Peru.”

Australia qualified hard way in a campaign played mostly away because of travel restrictions in place for COVID-19 pandemic, finishing third behind Saudi Arabia and Japan in ir group in last round of qualifying and n beating United Arab Emirates in Asian playoff last week.

“I’m just so proud of players,” Arld said. “Really, one kws what se boys have been through to get here. It was so hard, whole campaign. way y’ve stuck at it. way y’ve committed mselves to it … incredible. Twenty World Cup qualifiers, 16 away from home. It’s been tough, but we did it.”

dramatic end followed two hours of little action.

Australia finished regulation as only team creating chances. Ajdin Hrustic, who scored winning goal against United Arab Emirates in Asian playoff, had first shot on target after 82 minutes, and went close again shortly after.

Peru substitute Edison Flores headed against foot of Australia’s post early in second period of extra time, but that was as close as 12,000 Peruvian fans in stadium came to celebrating a goal and as close as eir team went to breaking deadlock.

“This is a very hard moment,” Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese said. “I had dream of seeing our flag once again in World Cup.

“I am still proud of this team. w we have to give m support, some teammates are really struggling w.

“Australia did its part and deserved it.”

game drifted towards a shootout, where Gallese saved Martin Boyle’s opening spot kick. Australia drew level when Luis Advincula hit post.

Redmayne, with his distracting dance routine along goal-line, saved from Valera, and Socceroos clinched a spot in Qatar in vember for ir sixth overall World Cup appearance.

“This idea was floated pre-selection that this (shootout) might eventuate in se kinds of circumstances,” Redmayne said of his contentious selection."

Australia will meet defending champion France in opening game of Group D on v. 22, and take on Tunisia and Denmark.

final place at World Cup will be filled in same stadium on Tuesday when Costa Rica meets New Zealand.