Peru on Kruse alert
HE HAS been targeted by faceless online trolls and haters but forward Robbie Kruse has been identified as Australia’s biggest danger by Peru, the team the Socceroos must beat to beat on Wednesday to have any chance of qualifying for the World Cup’s round of 16.
Peru midfielder Edison Flores identified Australia’s pace as the Socceroos’ biggest weapon and that of 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 at Peru’s base camp on the outskirts of Moscow.
“We need to stop them and try to make sure that their dangerous play isn’t dangerous against us.’’
Peru have more respect for Kruse than some Socceroos fans but the forward has also received strong support from teammates including Mathew Leckie and Mark Milligan.
“For his own people, for Australians, to be slagging off – it’s not OK,” Leckie said.
“It’s never 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 BK, said his team would be ready.
“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.
“Against us they will continue playing at the highest level as they always do.’’
For Australia to qualify for the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time since 2006, they must beat Peru and depend on France defeating Denmark.
Peru have lost both games they have played in this World Cup, 1-0 to France and Denmark, and Flores said his team was eager to secure at least one win.
Peru were widely regarded as unlucky against Denmark, and even missed a penalty that would have put them in the lead, and they pushed France all the way.