Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz


Peru's national football team, along with retired midfielder and head coach Jose Guillermo del Solar, continue to fight for a chance to make it to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The national team is to continue practicing in preparation for its qualifying match against Colombia on June 14 in Lima. In an effort to get the national squad into shape, Del Solar has scheduled two friendlies.

The first is to be played against Spain on May 31 in Huelva, while the other will be against Mexico and is to be held in the United States on June 8.

Not only has the new coach organized practice matches for the team, but he has also called on 13 Peruvians playing abroad to help the Andean country move up in the rankings.

With 2 draws and 2 loses, Peru is currently ranked number 9 out of the 10 South American countries in the South American Football Confederation.

Bolivia, which has a goal difference of -10, is ranked in last place and below Peru. After 3 wins and 1 draw, Paraguay is leading the South American group.

Argentina and Brazil are ranked in second and third, both with a goal difference of +6.

Peru's head coach announced Monday afternoon that the following Peruvian players playing for international clubs would now be a part of the national team:

1. Daniel Chávez Castillo - Brujas (Belgium)

2. George Forsyth Sommer  - Atalanta (Italy)

3. Hernán Rengifo Trigoso Lech - Poznan (Poland)

4. Martín Hidalgo Conde - Gremio (Brazil)

5. Carlos Zambrano Ochandarte - FC Shalke 04 (Germany)

6. Juan Cominges Mayorga - Caracas FC (Venezuela)

7. Nolberto Albino Solano Todco - West Ham United (England)

8. Juan Manuel Vargas Risco - Calcio Catania (Italy)

9. Juan Carlos Mariño Márquez - Hércules FC (Spain)

10. Alberto Junior Rodríguez Valdelomar - SC Braga (Portugal)

11. José Paolo Guerrero Gonzales - Hamburg SV (Germany)

12. Paulo Rinaldo Cruzado Durand  - Grasshopper (Switzerland)

13. Walter Ricardo Vílchez Soto - Puebla (Mexico)