Advertisement

Socceroos goalkeeper's sneaky hidden act cements 'legend' status

Andrew Reid
·4-min read
Pictured right, Socceroos goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne appears to toss the rival Peruvian goalkeeper's water bottle awaw.
Andrew Redmayne appeared to toss the rival Peruvian goalkeeper's water bottle away during the penalty shootout. Pic: Ch10/Twitter

Previously unseen footage of Andrew Redmayne has emerged online that has cemented the newfound 'cult hero' status of the Socceroos goalkeeper.

Redmayne was the hero for the Aussies after saving the crucial penalty against Peru that sent the Socceroos through to their fifth consecutive FIFA World Cup.

DO IT: Arnie's message to Anthony Albanese after Socceroos triumph

INSANE SCENES: ABC reporter's epic live cross after Socceroos win

The keeper - dubbed by many in Australia as the 'Grey Wiggle' because of his unorthodox 'dancing' routine during the shootout triumph - dived to his right to save Alex Valera's spot-kick for Peru and send the Aussies through to Qatar, 5-4 on penalties.

Redmayne's display had already seen him become the latest hero for Aussie sporting fans, but it was a largely unseen act from the shot-stopper that will surely seal his place in national sporting folklore.

The Aussie keeper was under the pump immediately in the shootout after Peru captain Pedro Gallese saved Martin Boyle's opening effort.

As the shootout became more intense, Redmayne had apparently noticed that Gallese was reading notes on his water bottle between shots, presumably for information about the Socceroos penalty-takers.

Eagle-eyed fans noticed that as Craig Goodwin stepped up to take Australia’s third penalty, Redmayne casually picked up his rival's bottle and tossed it over the other side of an advertising board.

The sneaky act proved divisive on social media, with some calling it unsportsmanlike and others suggesting it was a brutal stroke of genius.

Touching truth behind Andrew Redmayne celebration

Aside from his comical dancing routine, water bottle-throwing antics and match-winning save, Redmayne's post-game celebration also went viral.

Rather than sprint towards his teammates in celebration - as is often the case when keepers make game-winning saves in a shootout - Redmayne simply stood on the spot with his mouth open and his head moving from side to side.

In a beautiful revelation after the momentous occasion, the goalkeeper's wife Caitlin explained on Channel Nine's Today Show that it was actually a face he pulls for their one-year-old daughter, Poppy.

Andrew Redmayne's wife Caitlin says the iconic celebration from the Socceroos keeper was a tribute to their daughter Poppy. Pic: Ch10/Instagram
Andrew Redmayne's wife Caitlin says the iconic celebration from the Socceroos keeper was a tribute to their daughter Poppy. Pic: Ch10/Instagram

“I must say that was a tribute to our little girl Poppy,” Caitlin told the Today Show.

“That face of his that he pulls always lights up her face. I’m pretty sure that was for her, it wasn’t just him pulling that crazy face. That was pretty special. Look at that face, you couldn’t not love it.”

Redmayne denied he was the hero of the night, saying his routine was "a little thing I do" for Sydney FC that has "proved quite successful".

"If I can gain one percent by making a fool of myself then I will," he said.

"I love this team, I love this country and I love this sport. I am under no illusions that all I did was to save one penalty."

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.