A football psychology researcher has unpacked a series of ‘one-percenters’ that may well have led to Andrew Redmayne’s penalty heroics in Australia’s World Cup qualifier. The attention to detail is remarkable.
Understandably, Andrew Redmayne has emerged as one of the heroes from the Socceroos’ earth-shattering World Cup qualification fairytale.
The reality is, he was subbed on for a penalty shootout, after 13 other players had already left it all out there in the scoreless draw with Peru, across the first 120 minutes. That includes fellow keeper and captain Maty Ryan, who’s contribution across the entirety of the qualifying campaign needs to be paid its dues all the same.
But that said, it’s the microscopic detail that should leave us in awe of Redmayne. He nailed the process and subsequently we got the result.
Quickly after Australia’s penalty heroics, it had been picked up that the substitute goalkeeper recognised his opposite number’s ‘cheat sheet’ on a water bottle… and dealt with it in hilarious fashion.
[#EXCLUSIVO⚠️] La cámara de Movistar Deportes captó el preciso momento en que el arquero de Australia Andew Redmayne jugó sucio contra Pedro Gallese y la Selección Peruana.????????????????
— Movistar Deportes (@MovistarDeporPe) June 15, 2022
Más imágenes a RAS DE CANCHA hoy desde las 9:00 p.m. en #ZonaMixta (003 y 703 en HD). pic.twitter.com/gLCvar6Yix
What an icon.
But the antics didn’t just end there, which is what deserves closer consideration.
So, credit to ‘football psychology researcher’ Geir Jordet (@GeirJordet), who has gone to Redmayne-level detail, unpacking all the additional ‘one-percenters’ that may well have led to Australia’s subsequent win.
Just incredible stuff.
Most obvious, his dance moves on the goal line were elaborate, spectacular and seemingly effective. Research shows goalkeeper distraction behaviors are linked with 10% less goals for the penalty taker (https://t.co/EKUlw8JPmC). The key is to be erratic & unpredictable. 2/9 pic.twitter.com/qr8EZRTWmH
— Geir Jordet (@GeirJordet) June 14, 2022
Beneath are a couple of the highlights, but here is the full thread.
After each shot, Redmayne handed the ball off to his own team’s penalty taker, to give him a friendly and familiar start to his pre-shot routine. This technique was pioneered by England in the 2018 World Cup, and since used with success by Liverpool this season, among others. 5/9 pic.twitter.com/kQJZpLaW7G
— Geir Jordet (@GeirJordet) June 14, 2022
Redmayne also engaged in more confrontational mind games. Against Alexander Callens, Redmayne first jovially offers to hand over the ball, then swiftly slips it away from him in stead. The show of disrespect is clear and obvious. 7/9 pic.twitter.com/0ESmRP1ei2
— Geir Jordet (@GeirJordet) June 14, 2022
A penalty shootout is never decided by only one player or one type of action. There are small margins, many factors & coincidence also plays a role. With that said, Redmayne deliberately seized control over this shootout, which most likely tipped the odds in his favor. 9/9 pic.twitter.com/01eIwKk8wy
— Geir Jordet (@GeirJordet) June 14, 2022
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