Lima holds no fear for us, says NZ coach Hudson after first-leg tie
>> WELLINGTON: Travelling to Lima holds no fears for New Zealand as they seek a result against Peru in the second leg of their World Cup play-off, All Whites coach Anthony Hudson said.
New Zealand soaked up all the pressure 10th-ranked Peru threw at them in a 0-0 draw at Wellington Regional Stadium yesterday and head to South America for Wednesday’s return match with hope of qualifying for next year’s finals in Russia.
“We are looking forward to going to Lima. This actually suits us. We are used to that type of adversity,” Hudson told reporters.
“I have always complained that we never play at home, we always play away from home. But we are now used to it.
“Most of the places we have gone, we have managed to score and create chances so we are confident we can go and score.”
Wednesday’s return leg will be played at the Estadio Nacional in Lima.
New Zealand will remain heavy underdogs against Ricardo Gareca’s side but Hudson said he had learned from the team’s intercontinental play-offs in the previous two qualifying campaigns.
The All Whites qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with a 1-0 win over Bahrain in the second leg in Wellington after a 0-0 draw away.
Four years ago, however, they were hammered 5-1 away to Mexico in the first leg and failed to qualify for Brazil.
“The key for us was that we said it’s not 90 minutes, it’s 180 minutes and we need to be in the game in the last 10 minutes over in Lima,” said Hudson.
“We will play the full 180 minutes and make sure we are in the tie right to the end.”
Gareca was disappointed his side were unable to convert their few chances.
“We played well, but New Zealand were really well organised and the result is not that bad,” Gareca said. “It won’t be an easy game at home. It will still be really tough, but we have the fans and everybody behind the team.”
Peru, ranked 10th in the world to New Zealand’s 122, lacked a cutting edge in the absence of goal-scoring captain Paolo Guerrero, who is currently suspended over an “abnormal result” from a drugs test.
The visitors dominated in midfield, allowing Andre Carillo to pepper the New Zealand box with crosses searching in vain a finish from striker Jefferson Farfan.