A modest Sydney FC and Socceroos star Andrew Redmayne has played down his match winning role in Australia’s World Cup Play-Off penalty win over Peru.
The 33-year old Sky Blues record breaking goalkeeper has insisted he isn’t the man to be lauded after the nation’s team qualified for a fifth consecutive World Cup Finals
“I’m no hero, I just played my role like everyone else did tonight.
“I’m a bit lost for words,” he said. “I can’t thank the team and staff enough.
“I’m not going to take credit for this because the boys ran out 120 minutes. It not only takes the 11 on the pitch, but the boys on the bench, the boys in the stand and the ones who missed out on this squad as well.
“It’s a team effort and a team game and I can’t burden any more credit than the 27 who are here.”
Redmayne stands alone as the Sky Blues record breaking goalkeeper for appearances and for clean sheets and he says his experience meant he wasn’t nervous after coming on in the final minute in time for the penalties.
“My heart-rate was fine,” he said. “This idea [that he would be in goal for the penalties] was floated pre-selection.
“We thought that this might eventuate and in these circumstances and for the two or three weeks that we’ve been here (in Qatar).
“I’ve had that on my mind and been working on a few things at training.
“At the end of the day it’s a flip of the coin, it’s either right or left.
“The work has been done, the homework has been done and I’m grateful for the other boys running out 120 minutes.”
Redmayne will return home now and enjoy a family break before returning for pre-season training and preparations for the new season and the World Cup 2022.
