All Whites can expect ‘mini quake’

Danny Hay is expecting the earth to shake when New Zealand meet Peru in Lima, and he means that literally.

The former All Whites captain has played and coached in South America before, and has a fair idea of what to expect in the World Cup intercontinental playoff.

In 2015, while leading the New Zealand Under-17s at the World Cup in Chile, Hay remembers the city of Santiago shaking after Chile scored a World Cup qualifying goal against Brazil at the national stadium.

‘‘The building we were in just started shaking, literally shaking, when Chile scored a goal,’’ Hay said. ‘‘The whole city was shaking. Lights were flickering on and off. It was like a mini earthquake.’’

Chile went on to win the match 2-0 against the mighty Brazilians, and the city was in celebratory mode.

Given what is on the line in neighbouring Peru, Hay expects much the same from the city of Lima.

He said the second leg of New Zealand’s intercontinental playoff will be the most difficult away match the All Whites have played.

‘‘Ever,’’ Hay said. ‘‘If you look at it, what it means to Peru having not been in the World Cup for 35 years, being a World Cup playoff, it’s by far New Zealand’s toughest away match.’’

Add to that the fact New Zealand have never beaten a South American side at senior level (Hay’s under-17s are the only men’s side to win against South American opponents, against Paraguay), and the task is even tougher.

But in Anthony Hudson, Hay sees a manager capable of setting the team up to succeed.

‘‘He did a magnificent job in setting them up,’’ Hay said of Hudson’s tactical nous in the first leg.

‘‘It’s one thing setting the team up tactically, but it’s another for the players to stick to that for 90 minutes and they implemented that brilliantly.

‘‘He’s one of the best coaches I’ve seen.’’

The All Whites landed in Lima yesterday, and will have two full days to prepare for the return leg against Peru.