'I'm no hero,' says dancing keeper as Australia qualify for World Cup

Andrew Redmayne helps Socceroos win shootout over Peru after inter-continental playoff finishes goalless

Andrew Redmayne of Australia reacts after saving a penalty during the shootout in the 2022 World Cup Intercontinental playoff against Peru at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on June 13, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. Australia booked their place to the global finals by winning the shootout 5-4. Getty Images

Craig Goodwin and Andrew Redmayne of Australia celebrate in the dressing room. Getty Images

Australia defender Aziz Behich celebrates with Australia goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne. AFP

Australia goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne concedes a goal in the penalty shootout against Peru. AFP

Australia's goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne poses for a selfie with fans after winning the World Cup 2022 playoff against Peru on June 13, 2022, at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Australia beat Peru 5-4 in a penalty shootout to secure the penultimate free place at the World Cup. AFP

Australia's goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne (L) celebrates with Australia's defender Aziz Behich after winning the FIFA World Cup 2022 inter-confederation play-offs match between Australia and Peru on June 13, 2022, at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in the Qatari city of Ar-Rayyan. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP)

Australia goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne, left, replaces Mathew Ryan. AFP

Australia's Andrew Redmayne and teammates celebrate after qualifying for the 2022 World Cup. Reuters

Australia celebrate in their changing room after defeating Peru. Getty Images

Awer Mabil of Australia reacts after defeating Peru in the 2022 World Cup playoff match. Getty Images

Jamie MacLaren of Australia celebrates. Getty Images

Dejected Peru players support each other after being defeated by Australia. Getty Images

Edison Flores of Peru takes a shot at goal during the penalty shootout. Getty Images

Edison Flores of Peru looks to control the ball as Jackson Irvine of Australia falls to the ground. Getty Images

Christofer Gonzales of Peru makes a run with the ball. Getty Images

Substitute goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne's dancing antics helped Australia claim a shootout win over Peru in an inter-continental playoff on Monday but he said he was no hero, only playing his part as they claimed a fifth straight World Cup appearance.

The 33-year-old journeyman was brought on for his third cap with three minutes to play at the end of extra time and stopped the last kick as the Socceroos won 5-4 on penalties after the match ended goalless.

"He's a very good penalty saver and I did something that could affect them mentally," coach Graham Arnold explained at the post-match news conference.

"They were probably asking themselves the question, 'Why is this guy being brought on? He has to be good'.

"Maybe that was the reason they hit the post. It's a 1% mental effort to trouble the Peru penalty takers. It was a risk but it worked out."

Redmayne's antics were certainly a distraction. He danced along the line, waving his arms furiously, wiggling his hips and moving from side to side at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.

"If I could gain 1 or 2% by doing something stupid and making a fool of myself, then I was going to do it," he told reporters.

"I only played a tiny part, I don't think I'm a hero or anything. The boys put in a hell of a shift to run out 120 minutes against a really good opposition."

Redmayne's celebration after the decisive kick also caught the eye, the bearded goalkeeper running to the side of the goal and standing stock-still with eyes wide and fists clenched before his teammates mobbed him.

That, he said, was the result of instructions from the referee.

"I think he was a bit bemused about my antics, he threatened a yellow card a couple of times for trying to provoke players, I said I wasn't doing that," Redmayne added. "(He) said to me the last two penalties: 'If you save this you win but don't go running off celebrating because we need to check on VAR because you move around a lot'."

Redmayne had trials for Arsenal as a teenager but has played his entire career in the A-League, winning the league title for Sydney FC with two saves in the shootout that decided the 2019 championship final.

He said the plan to bring him on for Mat Ryan if the playoff went to penalties had been hatched at least a month ago but had been kept secret from the rest of the squad.

Ryan had been nothing but supportive, Redmayne said.

"I'm under no illusions about where I stand in the Australian goalkeeping ranks and I'm grateful with how Matty played it," he said.