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New Zealand media reports about play-off rival: Peru

Medios de comunicación de Nueva Zelanda informan sobre el partido con Perú.

Medios de comunicación de Nueva Zelanda informan sobre el partido con Perú.

19:34 | Lima, Oct. 11.

Renowned New Zealand media has been reporting about the Peruvian national soccer team ahead of November's intercontinental play-off for a ticket to Russia 2018.

Prensa de Nueva Zeland

New Zealand Herald, for instance, noted the progress made by the Incas during their second half of their qualifying campaign, as well as the work done by Ricardo Gareca to mold his team into a "cohesive unit."

According to its recent news article, All Whites coach Anthony Hudson admitted Peru was one of his preferred adversaries for a ticket to Russia.

Nevertheless, Stuff.co.nz said Hudson has called on caution against over-confidence, noting Peru's world ranking of 12 and the hostile home crowd awaiting in Lima for the second leg.

In fact, one of its news items labels Peru's striker Paolo Guerrero as a "threat" for the for an Oceania team, which made to the playoff stage defeating the Solomon Islands 8-3 on aggregate.

Paolo Guerrero

Stuff.co.nz also recognizes Peru has some very dangerous players that could hamper their World Cup hopes. 

Indeed, the article includes some names like Jefferson Farfan, Edison Flores, Andre Carrillo, Renato Tapia, Yoshimar Yotun and Christian Cueva.

It must be noted New Zealand would qualify for the World Cup finals for the third time if Peruvians are not strong enough.

Other sites implied Gareca's squad proves superiority over the All Whites by comparing their positions in the FIFA rankings (Peru is 12th, while New Zealand is ranked 113th).

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Published: 10/11/2017