As the Socceroos lined up for the penalty shootout that would decide their World Cup fate, few people in the world could relate to the pressure of the moment as well as John Aloisi.
It was Aloisi who famously stepped up and dispatched the winning spot-kick in 2005, beating Uruguay and securing Australia a first World Cup appearance in 32 years.
Nearly 17 years later, Aloisi was just like the rest of us — sweating in front of the TV, hoping Andrew Redmayne and the team could get the job done.
"I can tell you now, it's a lot more nerve-wracking watching it than being involved in it and being able to control your own destiny," Aloisi said.
This time around, Australia's hero wasn't a penalty taker but the goalkeeper between the sticks.
It took a combination of Redmayne's unusual antics and strong hands to keep Peru's final penalty out, sending the Socceroos to a fifth straight World Cup.
Aloisi knows better than most that that moment will change Redmayne's life.
"Andrew Redmayne stepped up in a clutch moment to make a big save," Aloisi said.
"Give credit to Graham Arnold, because he made that sub with one minute to go, taking off Mat Ryan — our number one keeper, and our captain — to put in Andrew Redmayne, and he made the save that helped us win the game.
"A lot of people will stop and talk to me about [Aloisi's winning penalty in 2005] and about me taking my top off (in celebration), but now I'm sure Andrew Redmayne will get to do the Wiggle dance a few times like he did in goals this morning."
Aloisi hails the Socceroos' spirit
Few gave Arnold's Socceroos much chance of qualifying after requiring wins over both the UAE and Peru in sudden-death playoffs.
But Aloisi said the spirit of the team — which remains as strong now as it was in 2005 — had him in no doubt Australia would be Qatar-bound.
"I expected them to go through because I know what the Socceroos are all about," he said.
"That spirit that they show — especially when they are underdogs they show the world what they are capable of.
"Time and time again we are able to do this. People are quick to criticise and write off our own, but the boys stuck together, stayed strong, they had the belief they could do it."
With qualification secured, now attentions will be turned to Qatar and the 2022 World Cup.
The Socceroos have not progressed from the group stage since 2006, when Aloisi helped lead the team to a win over Japan and a draw with Croatia before the heart-breaking extra-time loss to Italy in the round of 16.
Aloisi acknowledges the test that awaits, but says an emboldened Arnold and that famous Aussie spirit can once again make the impossible a reality.
"It's going to be difficult, we've got a very tough group. We've got France, Denmark and Tunisia," he said.
"But we're underdogs, and we should embrace and thrive on that spirit that Australians show and take it to them when we get to Qatar.
"It was very important for Graham Arnold, if he didn't win [against Peru] it would have been his last game. He wouldn't have been coaching the Socceroos in the future.
"He proved his doubters [wrong], he proved he is capable of doing it. He was strong in what he believed in and the way he wanted his team to play, and they ended up winning the game because of that belief.
"Now they can enjoy the moment, but it's about focusing for four months' time and the World Cup."
