Hay: Peru game in Barcelona acid test we need, want
All Whites coach Danny Hay feels Peru will provide the ultimate preparation for his team ahead of their win-or-bust clash with Costa Rica in mid-June.
The fixture was confirmed yesterday by New Zealand Football.
The match will be played in Barcelona on June 6 (NZT), nine days before the World Cup intercontinental playoff in Qatar. The game will be at the home of La Liga club Espanyol and should attract a significant crowd, with a large expatriate South
American population in Spain.
The All Whites are seeking the best test leading into the showdown with Costa Rica, who qualified fourth from the North American confederation behind Canada, Mexico and the United States.
“It is going to be massive,” said Hay. “What an acid test for us, which is exactly what we need and want. We need to find our own strengths and weaknesses, how we deal with adversity, leading in to what is a massive game against Costa Rica. Peru are the perfect opponents to really find out what we need.”
In normal circumstances, it would be near impossible for NZF to arrange a game against such high calibre opposition (Peru are ranked 22nd by Fifa, nine places ahead of Costa Rica), given costs and calendar congestion but the stars have aligned this time.
Peru are preparing for their own intercontinental playoff, after finishing fifth in South America, and will face either Australia or the United Arab Emirates on June 13. That meant they were seeking opponents with a similar style to the Socceroos, which opened the door for New Zealand (ranked 101st by Fifa).
“They are building towards the same sort of thing as us. They are trying to make the World Cup and won’t take this lightly, so it’s invaluable for us,” said Hay. “This won’t be just like another normal friendly.”
There is also history between the two nations, after the memorable and sometimes spicy series in 2017, with Peru prevailing 2-0 in Lima after a 0-0 draw in Wellington.
The All Whites have one more warm-up match to confirm, in Doha on June 10. Hay said there were a “couple of options on the table” to face another highly-ranked team.
The All Whites will be in camp in Spain from May 24, with players to arrive as they are released from their clubs. The full squad will assemble by May 31, the start of the Fifa window.
However, Hay confirmed PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ryan Thomas would not be in contention as he continues to battle injury.
“He has aggravated his knee and is still really struggling with it, even though he has tried to come back and get a little bit of training. It would have been a long shot anyway, with a guy that hasn’t played any football for so long.”