All Whites to face Peru on Nov 11
The dates for New Zealand’s World Cup playoff against Peru have been confirmed.
The All Whites will host Peru at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium for an afternoon kickoff starting at 4.15pm on Saturday, November 11.
FIFA have agreed to extend the international window for the two sides to accommodate the return fixture, which will take place in Lima almost five full days later.
Estadio Nacional de Lima in Peru’s capital will play host to the match, kicking off at 9.15pm local time on November 15 [3.15pm, Thursday NZ time].
Both sides had been concerned about the amount of travel involved, and New Zealand Football chief executive Andy Martin said FIFA had listened.
‘‘I am sure that was not an easy decision, but we feel it was right one,’’ Martin said.
‘‘With what is at stake – a place in the FIFA World Cup – we are pleased that FIFA have extended the window by a day and ensured that both teams will have a chance to travel, recover from their jet-lag and be at their best for home and away qualifiers that will be watched around the world.’’
Tickets for the home leg in Wellington will go on sale on Tuesday at 12pm for those on the wait list, while general sale will start at 12pm on Friday.
‘‘Football fans in this country have great memories of that magical night in Wellington when the All Whites beat Bahrain to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa,’’ said Martin.
‘‘The folklore around that game is huge.’’
‘‘We want to re-create that atmosphere on 11 November. We need all of New Zealand behind the All Whites as they look to create history and qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
‘‘We know that when we get to Peru we will be met with a very hostile environment so we hope that our fans can create an atmosphere that gives our boys a huge lift in the opening match of the tie.’’
New Zealand has never met Peru in international football, but has a dire record against South American sides having never mustered a win against Conmebol opposition.
Peru are currently ranked 12th in the FIFA world rankings.