Peru dream of ending historic heartache

THE last country to squeeze into this year’s finals via a playoff, Peru have been absent from the competition since 1982 and are not expected to go far. Yet a closer look shows that their Group C opponents Australia, Denmark and France should treat Peru with healthy respect, even though they will all expect three points after news of Guerrero’s absence for doping.

“We will without doubt miss Paolo in Russia but we are convinced that our team, with its courage and tenacity, will do Peru proud,” the Peruvian Football Federation said.

Clear underdogs at 200-1 to win the World Cup, Peru are ranked 11th by FIFA and have been growing in confidence after a storming end to the two-year South American qualifiers.

A 2-2 draw away to Venezuela in March 2017 set Peru on an unbeaten run that saw them pip Chile on goal difference for fifth spot then beat New Zealand 2-0 in a two-legged playoff. Since then, Peru have claimed two European scalps - Croatia and Iceland - in friendlies to prove their place at the finals was no fluke.

“We will face teams loaded with top-level players,” said coach Ricardo Gareca, who broke Peruvian hearts when his goal for Argentina stopped their team qualifying in 1986 but has now become a national idol. “But we have top-level players, too.”

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