Peru abuzz about first World Cup in 36 years

From the peaks of the Andes to the jungles of the Amazon, Peru is alive with anticipation for the World Cup, despite the absence of star player Paolo Guerrero.

Even without their captain, who is serving a controversial doping suspension, coach and former Argentine international Ricardo Gareca is confident they can make an impact after qualifying for the finals for the first time in 36 years.

“All the obstacles that we face – we are going to resolve them on and off the pitch,” said the manager, who has become a hero to Peruvians.

They open their campaign against Denmark on June 16 in Saransk, followed by a clash against powerhouse France on June 21 in Yekaterinburg.

Rounding out their Group C fixtures is a meeting with Australia in Sochi on June 26.

Guerrero, 34, tested positive for traces of cocaine after a World Cup qualifier between Peru and Argentina on Oct 5.

Initially banned for a year, i t wa s l at e r r e duc e d to six months on appeal last December.

That ban ended on May 3, making Guerrero eligible to play at the June 14- July 15 World Cup in Russia.

But the emblemat ic Peru captain wanted the ban annulled and ar rived at the Swi ss - based Court of Arbitration for Sport ( CAS) hearing two weeks ago flanked by lawyers.

The World Ant i Doping Body ( WADA) r e ta l i at e d , appealing to CAS to uphold their original sanction, and sport’s top arbitration court responded by increasing Guer rero’s ban. — AFP