Andina

Peru coach reaffirms Inca team's potential for 2018 World Cup

Selección Peruana de Fútbol. Foto: ANDINA/Carlos Lezama

Selección Peruana de Fútbol. Foto: ANDINA/Carlos Lezama

15:17 | Lima, Mar. 6.

Peru's national soccer team coach Ricardo Gareca on Tuesday affirmed the Incas will seek to give a good performance at the 2018 World Cup tournament since they will show their sporting potential —just as they did at the past Qualifiers.

As is known, Peru returns to a World Cup tournament after 36 years. Yet, it will have to face tough squads such as France, Denmark, and Australia at the mega event. 

Group C members "are very tough and dynamic opponents. They are strong teams, whose players combine strength and speed," the coach told RPP radio and TV news station. 

In this sense, Gareca believes such situation will bring an opportunity to resurface, considering the national squad showed its potential to qualify for soccer's most important event.

"We will get the best results […]. The key is to win all the Group matches," he expressed in this sense.

Friendlies

He also reaffirmed Peruvians will play a friendly match against the Saudi Arabian squad in Austria, and another one against Swedish counterpart in June. 

"We will play Saudi Arabia in Austria. Afterwards, we will travel to Sweden, and then to Russia," he concluded. 

Peru's first friendly will be against Croatia on March 23 in Miami, whereas the second game —against Iceland— is slated for March 27 in Harrison, NJ

The Inca team will then face Scotland on May 29 in Lima, and Sweden on June 9 in Stockholm. 

The game against Saudi Arabia may take place on June 3.

(END) JSO/FGM/MVB

Published: 3/6/2018