AUSTRALIA v PERU
Socceroos unfazed by uptempo style of ‘world-class’ Peru side
THE Socceroos believe their superior fitness and Peru’s propensity for attack will play into their hands in their defining World Cup fixture.
Australia must beat Peru tomorrow night (the match kicks off at midnight on Wednesday morning) and rely on France to defeat Denmark to have a chance of advancing to the knockout phase of the showpiece tournament.
Peru has suffered consecutive losses and can’t get beyond the group stage but has pledged to attack the Australians with its customary uptempo style when they meet in Sochi.
“They probably suit us a lot,” Australia defender Josh Risdon said of the Peruvians.
“You have seen when the game opened up against Denmark, we did very well and we created a lot of chances.
“And in terms of the high tempo, we’re fit as a side and I’m sure we can match them all day in fitness.
“They are world class ... (but) I think we can really damage them going forward.”
Should Australia and France win their respective final group games, the Socceroos and Denmark will be locked on four points each.
Goal difference, goals scored, then disciplinary records and possibly the drawing of lots would then determine which nation joined France in the knockout stage.
The French are guaranteed of progressing regardless of the outcome of their game against Denmark — to be staged simultaneously with Australia’s match.
But Socceroos defender Aziz Behich said there was scant chance of the French taking the foot off the pedal against the Danes.
“As footballers, we’re all competitors and we all want to win every game,” Behich said.
“They maybe have nothing to play for but I’m pretty sure they want to top the group heading into the next round.” Behich said it was vital the Australians didn’t get distracted by the permutations.
“We have just got to focus on ourselves,” he said. “We still have to do our job and make sure that we beat Peru.
“I have got a lot of believe that France will do the job against Denmark but we have got to focus on ourselves because we have got a tough task ahead.”