Socceroo Awer Mabil seals his ticket to the Qatar World Cup with clutch penalty in Australia’s historic triumph

Awer Mabil’s family and friends in Adelaide rejoiced after watching the “boy born in a refugee camp” play a crucial role helping Australia qualify for the World Cup.

South Australian soccer sensation Awer Mabil is set to take on the world after calmly slotting a sudden death penalty in the Socceroos historic World Cup qualification triumph.

Mabil, 26, was called upon in the penalty shootout against Peru with scores tied at 4-4.

He made no mistake from the spot to give Australia a narrow lead.

It would prove to be the difference as goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne made a heroic save just minutes later to seal Australia’s ticket to Qatar in November.

It prompted an outpouring of emotion from Mabil, a south-Sudanese refugee, who burst onto the scene for Adelaide United back in 2013 at just the age of 17.

“I knew I was going to score. It was the only way to say thank you to Australia, from me and my family,” Mabil said post-game.

His brother Awer Bul said his family was overwhelmed with excitement at the realisation Australia and Mabil were bound for the world stage.

“To be a boy who was born in a refugee camp, it was quite a moving moment for our community,” he said.

“Just to see him walk out there for the Australian team gives us a good feeling.”

Mr Bul said he sent Mabil a text message late last night to wish him luck.

“I just said ‘Good luck tonight my brother. We will pray so you are energised with your team,’” he said.

“I wanted to keep it short because I didn’t want him to get too emotional or lose focus.”

Awer Mabil reacts following his side’s victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Playoff match. Picture: Mohamed Farag/Getty Images

Awer Mabil and Australian coaching staff celebrate their win against Peru. Picture: Mohamed Farag/Getty Images

Mabil’s world was turned upside down in 2019 when his sister, Bor Mabil, at age 19, was killed in a car crash in Adelaide’s north.

Her death came at a time when Mabil had started to make his mark for the Australian national team at the Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

Speaking to The Advertiser in June 2019, Mabil said the backing of his Socceroos teammates and coach Graham Arnold in adversity had built an unshakeable bond during that tough period.

“We’re a big family here,” he said.

“When something happens, it affects all of us — not just the players, but the whole staff and everybody that’s here.”

Mabil is encouraged by goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne before his shot in the penalty shootout. Picture: Karim Jaafar/AFP

Qatar bound: Awer Mabil and teammates celebrate their win. Picture: Mohamed Farag/Getty Images

So it was no surprise to see how much it meant to Mabil when Australia qualified for its fifth straight World Cup in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

“It was amazing to see that because in reality it’s something he’s been striving for and one save, one chance means he is now headed for the world stage,” Mr Bul said.

“My brother is a great guy and he had this vision to play for Australia when there was just a glimmer in a window.”

Mabil’s uncle Michael Dau said he watched the game with the soccer star’s mother and two younger brothers.

He said it was a “very proud moment” for the family.

“He is a role model for South Sudanese people, particularly the youth,” he said.

“It was a really good game and for them to win against a top team like Peru, it is amazing.”

Mr Dau said Mabil facetimed the family post-game.

“He was very excited, we just told him how proud we were.”

Mabil was injected into the game by Arnold at the 69th minute with scores tied at 0-0 and Australia searching for a breakthrough.

Pedro Aquino of Peru battles for possession with Awer Mabil of Australia during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Playoff match. Picture: Mohamed Farag/Getty Images

The dynamic winger provided the Socceroos with a much-needed spark as he tested the Peruvian defence with several runs down the left-wing.

With the game in the balance in extra time, the ball fell to the former Adelaide United star who took a shot which sailed wide of the goal.

The match would end a stalemate with a penalty shootout required to separate the two sides.

As the sixth penalty taker, Mabil’s services were unlikely to be required.

However, the shootout reached sudden death with the two nations unable to be separated after five penalties each.

“I scored, a lot of my team mates scored, we all played a part,” Mabil told reporters in Qatar.

“And yeah, maybe that refugee kid played a big part. So that’s on behalf of my family just to say thank you to the whole of Australia.”

Mr Bul said penalty shootouts are “shocking to watch” when the stakes are so high.

“You either make it or you don’t make it,” he said.

He said he was excited for the next chapter in November.

“It’s going to be a great feeling when they play that first game. It will be something huge,” he said.

Adelaide United’s captain Craig Goodwin was also granted his own special moment, subbed into the game just before full time to take a crucial penalty in the shootout.

He thumped a powerful shot into the top of the net to tie the scores at 2-2.