Awer Mabil is happy that he played an important part in Australia reaching the World Cup on Monday. The 26-year-old winger converted the sixth penalty in the play-off against Peru and then saw goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne save Alex Valera’s decisive penalty.
“I knew I would score. It was the only way to say thank you to Australia on behalf of my family,” said Mabil, who was born in a refugee camp in Kenya after his parents fled Sudan.
As a child he was fed one meal a day and he played a lot with a ball in Kenya to pass the time. “I was born in a hut, a small hut. My hotel room here is definitely bigger than the hut, the room we had as a family in that refugee camp,” Mabil said after the duel in Doha.
“Australia to include us in their country gave me and my whole family a chance at a good life. I’m glad I could now thank Australia for the opportunity they gave my family.”
Mabil has lived in Australia since 2006 and started his professional football career with Adelaide United. He then switched to FC Midtjylland, which Mabil loaned out to Kasimpasa last season.
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Goalkeeper Redmayne remains modest under hero role
In Australia, much attention was also paid to keeper Redmayne, who replaced first goalkeeper Mathew Ryan especially for the penalty series. The substitution was similar to that of Louis van Gaal at the 2014 World Cup, when he replaced Jasper Cillessen at Orange with Tim Krul.
Redmayne caused a stir during the penalty shootout by pushing the boundaries in an attempt to get the Peruvians out of their concentration. The 33-year-old keeper was dancing on the goal line, among other things. He was successful in Peru’s sixth penalty kick.
“I don’t think Mathew knew about it. He wished me luck and said my moment had come. He took it really well. He’s a legend,” said Redmayne of coming on the field for Ryan.
“I have no illusions about my place in the team. I’m just happy that I could make a small contribution tonight. Mat has played the most games by far in the past three years. He was phenomenal.”
There is still one World Cup ticket to be awarded. Costa Rica and New Zealand will compete for the last ticket on Tuesday evening.