Emotions run high after Australia beats Peru on penalties to qualify for FIFA World cup

• Australia overcame a spirited Peruvian side to book their ticket to the FIFA World cup that will be held later this year in Qatar
• The two sides played out to a 0-0 draw in normal and extra time with both teams coming agonizingly close to breaking the deadlock
• Peru were hoping to make it to back-to-back World Cups for the first time since 1982 but missed penalties in the shoot-out saw them crash out to the Oceanic side

Australia qualified for the fifth consecutive World Cup after beating Peru in the intercontinental playoff match played in Qatar on Monday night.

The tie had ended in a goalless stalemate, requiring penalties to decide who will book a spot in Qatar later this year.

The Socceroos started the shootout on a wrong footing after MArtin Boyle saw his effort saved by Pedro Gallese in the Peruvian goal. Australia had brought on second-choice goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne for the penalties.

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Peru's advantage was cancelled after Boca Juniors' defender Luis Advincula hammered his effort on the post, giving Australia a chance to restore parity.

After five penalties a piece and the teams still level, the two sides headed into sudden death where Awer Nabil converted his effort for Australia. Redmayne finally repaid the faith of his head coach Graham Arnold by saving Alex Valera's penalty and ensuring the Socceroos' place in Qatar.

In normal time, Australia were the dominant side with Peru's first shot on target coming in extra time. Edison Flores saw his header hit the post and ricochet back to play as the game wound down.

Arnold's decision to bring on Redmayne for his captain Matt Ryan proved to be a masterstroke with the Sydney goalkeeper saving the final penalty from Valera.

Michel Platini admits the 1998 World Cup was fixed

Sports Brief had earlier reported that former UEFA President and France legend Michel Platini has revealed that the 1998 World Cup draw was tampered with.

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Platini, who is currently under trial together with former FIFA President Sepp Blatter, has confessed that there was a scheme to ensure that hosts France, didn’t meet pre-tournament favourites Brazil until the final.

Platini was a very talented player during his days. He is one of the few players to have won the Ballon d’Or at least three times after his exploits in 1983, 1984 and 1985.