‘Everyone questioned it’: Vindication for Arnie as Socceroos’ shock gamble pays off in best way
Arnie #Arnie
Former Socceroo Luke Wilkshire called it a “massive decision” and they don’t come much bigger than a late goalkeeper change ahead of a must-win penalty shootout.
Graham Arnold had been under plenty of pressure heading into Australia’s World Cup Qatar 2022 Intercontinental Play-off against Peru.
And he certainly did not shy away from putting himself in the firing line when he made a late switch, putting Andrew Redmayne in for Mat Ryan.
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“It is an interesting decision what Maty Ryan has done throughout the campaign, in the Asian Cup he saved two against Uzbekistan,” Mark Milligan said on Channel 10’s coverage.
“But, you know, Arnie made this call and that is probably the main reason Redmayne has been in the squad.”
“Look, he has made a massive, massive decision, we will see in the penalties whether it has paid dividends,” Wilkshire added.
“It is a brave call. That is why he is in charge to make the big decisions. Again to get to this point, I think we should have won in normal time. We weren’t clinical enough.”
Redmayne certainly had an unorthodox approach in the box, dancing around in scenes that cut a complete contrast to the tense atmosphere at Al Rayyan Stadium.
It became even more tense for Australian fans when Martin Boyle fired it to the left but Pedro Gallese anticipated it brilliantly to come up with a crucial save.
“The perfect start for Peru. The nightmare beginning for Australia,” Simon Hill said in commentary for Channel 10.
It looked as if Peru was destined for the World Cup while Australia seemed resigned to heartbreak but then Luis Advíncula hit the post with his attempt.
It left the penalty shootout on a knife’s edge once more.
Arnold would live or die by the sword and in stunning scenes, the gamble paid off as Redmayne sent Australia to the World Cup with a superb save on Alex Valera’s attempt.
“It is all on this for Peru. Valera. And Redmayne makes the save,” Hill said in commentary.
“It is a save that means the world to Australia. It is a save that means the World Cup for Australia. Joy unbridled for Graham Arnold, for his players, they are going to the World Cup in Qatar. No one gave them much of a chance. But never, ever write off the Socceroos.
Graham Arnold was vindicated. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP)Source: AFP
“A fifth consecutive World Cup as the jeers for Graham Arnold turn to cheers. Peru vanquished. Bring on the world in November and you have to say on balance tonight, they deserve it. It was tight, it was tense, there are tears for Peru. And tears of joy for Graham Arnold and Australia.
“And his decision to bring on Andrew Redmayne in the end is vindicated. Extraordinary scenes in Doha. Well done, Australia.”
Milligan was “lost for words” post-game, paying tribute to Arnold’s bold call.
“The character shown, the performance put in, I’m delighted for Arnold,” he said.
“The criticism he has copped. The brave decision he made putting Redmayne on. We questioned it. Everyone would have questioned it. But it got us over the line and full credit to him.”
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Redmayne refused to take credit despite his heroics.
“Yeah, I’m a bit lost for words. I can’t thank the team enough, the staff enough,” he said post game.
“ You know, I’m not going to take credit. The boys ran out 120 minutes, and it not only takes 11 on the field but the boys on the bench, the boys in the stands. The boys that missed out in their squad as well. It is a team effort, team game, so I can’t take any more credit then any of the boys.
Redmaybe revealed his role had been discussed and planned in the lead up to the game.
“This idea was floated pre-selection that this might happen in these kind of circumstances. I have had that in my mind, and I’ve been working on a few things in training, but at the end of the day, it is either right or left, the homework has been done and I’m just grateful to the other boys for running at 120 minutes.
“I’m no hero. I just played my role like everyone else did tonight. Not even the 11 on the pitch, it was much more than that, it is a team effort.”