Speed has rivals wary as Aussies chase win

FOOTBALL: He has been viciously targeted by faceless online trolls and haters but Robbie Kruse has been identified as Australia’s biggest danger by Peru, the team Australia must beat to beat to have any chance of qualifying for the next round of the World Cup.

Peru midfield linchpin Edison Flores identified Australia’s pace going forward as the Socceroos’ biggest weapon and Kruse in particular.

“We know that in attack that they have really fast players like Kruse, he’s a really important player for them,’’ Flores said.

“We need to stop them and try to make sure that their dangerous play isn’t dangerous against us.’’

Peru has more respect for Kruse than some Socceroo supporters who have hammered him on social media for his efforts in the opening two games.

But the forward has received strong support from teammates including Mathew Leckie.

“For his own people, for Australians, to be slagging off, it’s not okay,” Leckie said. “It’s nev- er good for any player to cop that sort of stuff so, hopefully, it tones down.”

Flores, who plays his club football in Denmark for Aalborg, said his team would be ready for the Australians.

“We’ve watched their games against France and Denmark,’’ he said.

“They’re a very fast side, I think they are playing well and they picked up an important draw in their last game.’’

For Australia to qualify for the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time since 2006 it must beat Peru and depend on France defeating Denmark.

Peru has lost their first two games 1-0 to France and Denmark. – Michael McGuire