Hrustic glad to have played part in Socceroos' qualification

Tue, 14 Jun, 2022

Hrustic glad to have played part in Socceroos' qualification

Doha: Australia forward Ajdin Hrustic reveled in his country’s fifth consecutive qualification to the FIFA World Cup after the Socceroos defeated Peru in the Inter-Confederation Play-off to become the sixth Asian team to reach Qatar 2022.

Hrustic and company needed 120 minutes and some heroic goalkeeping from Andrew Redmayne who was brought on by head coach Graham Arnold to replace Mat Ryan in the 120th minute and rewarded his manager by saving Alex Valera’s penalty to send Australia into the FIFA World Cup.

Dancing goalkeeper Redmayne sends Australia to FIFA World Cup

Tue, 14 Jun, 2022

Dancing goalkeeper Redmayne sends Australia to FIFA World Cup

Doha: Australia on Tuesday celebrated the antics of dancing goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne whose penalty shootout save against Peru saw them to a fifth straight FIFA World Cup Finals.

The 33-year-old clowned his way along the goal line as Peru's players prepared to take their penalty kicks and his block of Alex Valera's shot gave Australia a 5-4 win after the two sides had been deadlocked without a goal for 120 minutes.

Australia coach Graham Arnold brought Redmayne on for team captain Mathew Ryan for the final minutes of extra time as a ploy for the shootout.

History beckons as record six Asian teams qualify for the global showpiece

Tue, 14 Jun, 2022

History beckons as record six Asian teams qualify for the global showpiece

Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has congratulated Australia for becoming the record sixth AFC side to secure their place at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 after the Socceroos successfully navigated past Peru 5-4 on penalties as both sides played to a goalless draw after 120 minutes in a riveting FIFA World Cup Intercontinental Playoff on Monday.

AFC President Shaikh Salman said: “On behalf of the Asian football family, I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to Australia for qualifying to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Australia edge Peru on penalties for historical sixth Qatar 2022 spot

Tue, 14 Jun, 2022

Australia edge Peru on penalties for historical sixth Qatar 2022 spot

Doha: Substitute goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne was the hero as Australia qualified for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 after defeating Peru 5-4 on penalties in the Inter-Confederation Playoff at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Monday to ensure Asia has six representatives in the FIFA World Cup for the first time in history.

The playoff ended 0-0 after 120 minutes with Australia prevailing from the penalty spot to qualify for their sixth FIFA World Cup Finals. 

The Socceroos join hosts Qatar as well as Saudi Arabia, Japan, Islamic Republic of Iran and Korea Republic in the Finals for the biggest ever AFC contingent on the global stage. They will be placed in Group D alongside France, Denmark and Tunisia.

Qualifiers Final Round Group B: Palestine 4-0 Philippines

Tue, 14 Jun, 2022

Qualifiers Final Round Group B: Palestine 4-0 Philippines

Ulaabaatar: Palestine claimed top spot in Group B with a perfect record and a ticket to their third consecutive AFC Asian Cup™ after their 4-0 win over Philippines on Matchday Three of the AFC Asian Cup 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round at MFF Stadium on Tuesday.

A pair of headers from Saleh Chihadeh and Tamer Seyam gave the Azkals a mountain to climb at the break before Mohammed Yamin added a third from a corner and Mahmoud Abuwarda fired in the team’s fourth to settle matters.

The result sees Palestine once again defeat the Philippines to qualify for the continent’s premier national team competition, having first done so by defeating the Southeast Asians at the final of the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup.