When did you find out that you’d be coming on for Mat Ryan – Australia’s captain and No.1 – if June’s play-off against Peru went to a shootout?
About six weeks prior. I’d worked with Australia’s goalkeeping coach, John Crawley, at club level and we often talk. At the end of a phonecall, he said, “Get ready to save a penalty, mate”, then hung up. I told my wife – she said, “Maybe you’re coming on if there’s a shootout?” The idea got padded out once I was in camp for the play-offs.
And you had to keep it a secret?
[] Yeah, that was tough! I had to tell someone in the camp, so my team-mate, Joel King, knew – and my mum knew and my wife knew – but none of the other
