Peru vs New Zealand
New Zealand heads to Lima on Thursday carrying the hopes of a nation dreaming to reach the World Cup finals in Russia but awaits them are the Incas considered among the giants in football.
It’s a daunting task for the All Whites to overcome one of South America’s best teams in front of a passionate crowd. The Estadio Nacional de Lima will be bouncing and the visitors somehow need to subdue the crowd. You won’t find many betting tips for an away win and if you take a look at the handicap betting options before Thursday, you’re sure to get a good price on the All Whites.
But Anthony Hudson’s side doesn’t actually need to win, having held Peru to a 0-0 draw in the first leg at home in Wellington. The 36 year-old coach set his side up to frustrate the favourites and, crucially, denied them an away goal. With forwards of the class of Jefferson Farfan, Raul Ruidiaz and promising Vancouver Whitecaps’ striker Yordy Reyna, Peru carries a serious threat which has taken them up to tenth in the FIFA rankings.
That’s a full 112 places above New Zealand and it’s no mean feat finishing in the top five of the tough South American group. A draw with Colombia in their final fixture was enough to win Peru a play-off spot and see fierce rivals Chile, including Alexis Sanchez, miss out on a trip to Russia.
So how can Hudson mastermind another shock in Lima? Peru fully expect to reach its fifth World Cup finals and is hungry for success, having been absent since 1982. Meanwhile, New Zealand has never beaten a South American team. But Hudson does have Premier League quality to call on. West Ham’s Winston Reid is capable of marshalling his defence to frustrate Peru again, and in Burnley’s Chris Wood, the All Whites have a striker with an eye for goal.
It’s a big ask but Hudson’s team has belief. The question is, can they put enough doubt in Peruvian minds in a sudden death match?
Well, they made a good start in Wellington.
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