Australia is participating in the World Cup in Qatar after beating Peru in a dramatic 5-4 penalty shoot-out after the 120th minute record of the Intercontinental Play-offs (AFC/CONMEBOL) went to nil. This is the sixth presence of “footballers” in the final stage after 1974, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018. It should be noted that despite belonging to Oceania, Australia currently competes in the Asian zone.
It should be noted that for Peru at Ahmed bin Ali in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Andre Carrillo, a former Sporting winger and former Benfica striker who is currently at Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, played and was substituted in the 65th minute. as well as Luis Advincula, the team that played for V. Setúbal and is currently defending Boca Juniors, having played 90 minutes in this match. From the Australian side, there is a reference to striker Aver Mabil, who played for Pacos de Ferreira and was with Kasimpasa Turkey last season, playing against Peru in the 69th minute and converting one of the penalties.
Of particular note is the fact that the Australian coach Graham Arnold (on the other side was the Argentine Ricardo Gareca) changed goalkeepers before the end of extra time (120 + 1) taking into account the penalty, a decision that turned out to be very good in the end, because it was Andrew Redmayne ( replacing Matthew Ryan) saved the decisive penalty. This is after the Aussies even got off to a bad start (Martin Boyle flopped), but Advinkula (post) and Alex Valera (goalkeeper defense) did no better.
All that’s left now is to fill in the last place (32nd) that will go to the winner of another Intercontinental Playoff to be held on Tuesday between Costa Rica and New Zealand (COBACAF/OFC).
The FIFA World Cup in Qatar runs from November 21 to December 18.
