The players of Peru (id) Sergio Peña, Christian Ramos and Renato Tapia during Sunday’s match in Doha. Photo: EFE
After participating in Russia 2018, Peru wants to play the World Cup again, which they do not get from Argentina 1978 and Spain 1982. This Monday has their big break when they face Australia, at Ahmad Bin Ali stadium. Al Rayyan, from 3pm in Argentina, with TNT Sports television.
“I have had important moments in my life, but this is a wonderful opportunity,” said Tiger Ricardo Gareca before the intercontinental game against Australia. “A World Cup is a privilege for a few. It is an extraordinary moment in my career that we want to take advantage of”, continued the coach who knows he is going to make history since the 78 and 82 World Cups were reached by various coaches.
In office since 2015, “Tigre” has brought the selected team back to a competitive level in South America, qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia after 36 years. And they reached the Copa América final in 2019.
The ticket for Russia was also obtained through a playoff in which they defeated New Zealand, winner of the draw with Oceania. They are now fighting some Australians who have not been able to get the ticket straight to the Asian zone.
The Ahmad Bin Ali stadium in Al Rayyan, located west of Doha, is one of the eight venues that will host the World Cup between 21 November and 18 December.
The Al Rayyan stadium in Qatar will host the match. Photo: REUTERS
Due to the delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the repechage will be a single match instead of the home and away format. The winner will join Group D, where reigning champions France, Denmark and Tunisia await.
“It was difficult for us to get to this match and we will not waste it,” said Peruvian goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. “For us it is the most important match of our life and it will be beautiful from a physical and technical point of view.”
And boy, was it difficult to reach this playoff, in a campaign where he got injured due to the injury of his longtime scorer Paolo Guerrero.
Peru was virtually hopeless in the South American qualifiers. He barely added a point in the first five dates to drop to the bottom of the standings, but gradually recovered positions to fifth place.
Without Guerrero or Jefferson Farfán excluded due to knee injuries, the Peruvian attacking weight will today lead the Italian-Peruvian forward Gianluca Lapadula, winger André Carrillo and creative midfielder Christian Cueva.
Boca player Advíncula in Peru’s last training session before the rebound. Photo: EFE / Albert Estevez
“Australia are a well-worked team who know what they want on the pitch”, warned Gareca: “When it happens, we have to be very careful, we have to be in control.”
Australia are aiming to qualify for their fourth consecutive World Cup and will look to capitalize on their physical performance. The team led by Graham Arnold just proved this in their 3-1 win over the United Arab Emirates last Tuesday: the Aussies would have done better to get back into the last quarter of their rival against a shattered opponent.
Arnold warned that Peru will be surprised by Australia’s technical quality.
“The players know their job, they go out there and they do it the Australian way and that is fighting for 90 minutes, being very physical,” said the helmsman. “And technically, Peruvians will be surprised at how much Australian football has improved.”
Another factor is that Australia had more preparation time in Qatar. Peru focused on Spain, where they defeated New Zealand 1-0 on Sunday.
The Peruvians understand the challenge, as their midfielder Renato Tapia commented.
“As the minutes went by, it physically cost the Emirates,” said Tapia. “We have never felt favored in anything and I think it is one of our virtues. From humility you build a path to victory.”
Source: Clarin
