Australia became the 31st team to book their place at the 2022 World Cup after beating Peru on penalties in an intercontinental play-off in Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne, who replaced Mat Ryan just before the shootout for his third cap, was the hero, saving Alex Valera\u2019s final kick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This will be Australia\u2019s fifth World Cup in a row, having qualified every time since 2006.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They will be in Group D alongside holders France, Denmark and Tunisia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The World Cup\u2019s final team will be decided on Tuesday when Costa Rica face New Zealand at the same venue, the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Australia boss Graham Arnold\u2019s decision to bring off captain Ryan for Redmayne, whose only previous competitive international was against Nepal, was surprising but it ultimately paid off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Sydney FC keeper, 33, danced on the line for each kick in a bid to put the Peruvians off and Luis Advincula hit the post before Valera\u2019s final penalty was saved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a very good penalty saver and I did something that could affect them mentally,\u201d said Arnold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey were probably asking themselves the question, \u2018Why is this guy being brought on, he has to be good\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaybe that was the reason they hit the post. It\u2019s a 1% mental effort to trouble the Peru penalty takers. It was a risk but it worked out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Redmayne, who had trials at Arsenal as a youngster, was making just his third appearance for the Socceroos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis idea was floated pre-selection that this might eventuate in these kind of circumstances and for the two or three weeks we\u2019ve been here [in Qatar], I\u2019ve kind of had that in my mind,\u201d said Redmayne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been working on a few things in training but at the end of the day it\u2019s a flip of the coin, it\u2019s either right or left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m no hero, I just played my role like everyone did tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The game itself in Al Rayyan was far from a classic, with no chances of note in the opening 80 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Australia had three good opportunities in the final 10 minutes with Ajdin Hrustic forcing two saves and Aziz Behich curling just wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Edison Flores had Peru\u2019s only shot on target but his long-range strike in extra time was straight at Ryan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He went even closer, with the game\u2019s best chance, when his header hit the post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The game was played in excess of 30C in an air-conditioned Ahmad bin Ali Stadium. In the build-up to the game Peru assistant boss Nolberto Solano raised concerns that the World Cup itself was moved to November to avoid the stifling heat, and yet some of the play-offs have been played now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His side, who were hoping to reach a second consecutive World Cup, had finished fifth in South American qualifying to reach this game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Australia finished third in their Asian qualifying group and beat the United Arab Emirates 2-1 in Qatar last Tuesday to set up their showdown with Peru.<\/p>\n\n\n\n