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Argentina prepares for FIFA World Cup qualifier against Peru

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

Argentina's world champion football team has arrived to Peru and concluded its first practice in preparation for the World Cup qualifier that is to take place at the Monumental Stadium in Lima on Wednesday.

After their practice, which took place at Markham school from 10:30 a.m. - noon, the team headed to their hotel in Miraflores, where Javier Zannetti and Juan Pablo Carrizo commented on the upcoming match.

"We have great respect for Peru's national team," said Argentina's team captain. "We know the team is on the rise and like all qualifiers it will be complicated."

Anything can happen on the field, said Javier Zannetti, explaining his team had had three consecutive ties and could not afford to miss out on gaining points.

When asked about missing players, Zannetti stated he did not believe his team would be seriously affected by the fact that Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano and Roberto Abbondanzieri would not be able to play.

"We're missing important players but the luck Argentina has is that the team has many great players and the eleven that will play tomorrow will give everything they've got," said Zannetti.

Peru had its first 2010 World Cup qualifier win on Saturday against Venezuela, taking the Andean team out of last place in the 10-country South American ranking.

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# Raphael says :
10 September, 2008 [ 09:03 ]

I swear, Peruvians have such short term memory.
Are people serious when they speculate that this "selection" even has a small remote chance of winning?  Are you kidding me?  Anyone remember the 6-0 loss?  We win one lousy game against one of the bottom three teams in CONMEBOL, (and BARELY won with that lucky fluke of a goal, at that)  and now everyone's amped up and think we can beat Argentina? The Olympic champions? I hope it's a 8-0 loss this time to remind everyone we need to get rid of Chemo and the whole FPF board to save what little dignity Peruvian football has left.
Argentina will mop the floor with Peru. Deep down I hope I'm proven wrong for Peru's sake but our country will never learn.

# Ozzie says :
10 September, 2008 [ 09:21 ]

Hey Raphael have A little confidence. If you are peruvian you sure dont sound like one.

# Anonymous Dave says :
10 September, 2008 [ 10:16 ]

I love Peru, I really do. But this band of morons should be strung up in the Plaza de Armas like was done in the days of the Spanish Inquisition.

The Peruvian national team should be dispanded and funds redirected to the next generation of atheletes, of all sports, and eventually the team can be refounded.

# Raphael says :
10 September, 2008 [ 11:03 ]

ozzie,
you obviously didn't read my post in full.  let me re-cap for you...

" Deep down I hope I'm proven wrong for Peru's sake ..."

How don't I sound Peruvian? Because I'm being realistic? Come on.

Next...

# Jose Ramirez says :
10 September, 2008 [ 23:59 ]

Well you were proven wrong. Vargas's push at the end was classic. Hopefully this will fuel the team's intensity. Ariba Peru Carajo!!!
P.S. your initial comment did not sound Peruvian(seriously).