Cardinal sins were on display

THE PERU PERSPECTIVE

Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne is a rare voice of optimism amid a wave of frustration and disappointment after Peru’s 0-0 draw with New Zealand.

Many in the media harshly criticised Peru’s coach, Ricardo Gareca, for not making any changes when the first leg of the World Cup playoff in Wellington on Saturday was not going well, while others pointed the finger at the likes of Andre Carrillo and Edison Flores for their lack of flair in attack.

Perhaps the most vociferous critic was Phillip Butters, who said on his radio show that a lack of leadership was behind Peru’s poor showing. Peru were without their captain and striker Paolo Guerrero due to a failed doping test, with Jefferson Farfan starting up front.

‘‘I saw that Carrillo does not have the leadership, that Flores did not have the leadership, that [Christian] Cueva was not there, and that Jefferson Farfan, when he was thrown back, did not have spaces. I have seen a lack of footballing ability,’’ Butters said in a translated transcript of his segment.

He then took aim at Gareca, who did not make his first substitute until the 78th minute. By then, New Zealand coach Anthony Hudson had already made three changes, albeit one of them enforced when Tommy Smith succumbed to a calf injury.

‘‘I’ve been worried about Gareca. He grumbled, made gestures ... but he did not make a change that makes Peru play different to beat New Zealand,’’ he said.

But Cardinal Thorne was one who went against the tide of angst. The publication went to him for comment on the game, giving further confirmation of football’s importance to the Peruvian people alongside religion.

Cipriani backed Peru to get the better of New Zealand in the second leg, saying the All Whites were ‘‘big guys, but nothing more’’.

‘‘Honestly the other team is bad, we must say it clearly, I think that Peru can play much better and will play much better, we have the game in our country, I estimate that here there will be a good result,’’ the translated text with

"Honestly the other team is bad, we must say it clearly."

Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne, above, on the All Whites

the Archbishop of Lima read.

However, his optimism was not shared by Butters’ colleagues in the media.

A piece from identified five points where things went wrong in the draw.

It said Peru did nothing with their dominance of possession, they missed Guerrero a lot up front and they were unable to deal with the Kiwis’ physicality.

It also singled out deficiencies in Peru’s attack, saying ‘‘nobody tried to be the hero’’.

‘‘It was not a good day for Andre Carrillo, who was shy when he attacked. Edison Flores only dared to kick once to the goal from outside the area. Christian Cueva, who had to connect the attack, did not find partners. Nobody tried to be the hero.’’

Daniel Peredo, a commentator for Movistar Deportes, was quoted by as saying Peru’s patience in attack turned to passiveness.

‘‘That doesn’t mean that Peru is not superior, but it needs to find alternatives, especially when New Zealand raised their game on defence.’’

He went on to say 36-year-old Hudson got the better of his 59-year-old rival.

‘‘Technically, New Zealand is a bit limited, but an inferior team does not always lose the game. In football, the inferior team tries to make the game even. New Zealand and Hudson beat Gareca, tactically and physically.’’