New Zealand 0-0 Peru
New Zealand produced a gritty defensive display in the first leg of their intercontinental playoff to stop Peru and keep their World Cup dreams alive.
Ranked 122nd in the world, the All Whites didn’t have much chance to win the game against the 10th-ranked Peru. Betting odds weren’t even close between them while betting websites tipped the visitors as the likely winners in the buildup of the game.
Despite the difference in ranking, however, New Zealand demonstrated exceptional performance in front of more than 37,000 fans at Westpac Stadium to surprise the Peruvians and their live betting faithful.
Of course, Peru dominated proceedings and had the best chances to break the deadlock. Nonetheless, with their undisputed star and top goal-scorer Paolo Guerrero suspended, they struggled to finish and had to settle for a goalless draw.
Meanwhile, New Zealand played with more motivation. They are the clear underdogs in the game, but they undoubtedly entered the game with some bite as they made life hard for the Blanquirroja with their nifty defence.
All Whites skipper Winston Reid anchored the team’s defence and played a huge part in limiting Peru’s attacking options.
NZ goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic was also crucial in the game. Peru almost scored a goal as early as the seventh minute following a goal-line mix-up, but the 26-year-old managed to get back in time and clear the ball off his pitch.
Marinovic also made a pair of excellent saves in the second half, with the first one an acrobatic display in the 63rd minute to parry away Aldo Corzo’s header.
It didn’t help New Zealand that leading scorer Chris Wood had fitness issues and was unable to start, though they still managed to give Peru some problems and even came close to scoring in the closing stages when Ryan Thomas’ volley went inches wide.
Both teams now head to the second leg in Lima with a ticket to Russia on the line. Peru fans will be sweating if New Zealand can replicate their performance today, though they will remain optimistic given their nation’s recent performances at home.
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