Peru World Cup Qualifiers Preview

Hello once again to all the Blanquiroja fans out there! Its World Cup Qualifying season once again, and for once Peruvians have something to look forward to. As usual, Peruvians will go into the qualifiers hoping to reach the ultimate prize, a spot in the next World Cup finals. In past years, however, Peruvians may have been clinging to blind hope with no real statistics to back them up. But now, there is real, concrete hope, and it has come in the form of Sergio Markarian. He has arrived to bolster “La seleccion,” stabilizing Peru’s defense and sharpening Peru’s offense. Once again Peru has become a force to be reckoned with internationally, and look to further establish themselves, as the former futbol world power they once were.  

Peruvians will hope that the squad can translate their good Copa America form into a good qualifying campaign. Their first test is against Paraguay on October 7, and later against Chile on October 11. Markarian will have all of his European stars to count on this time, as most of them were injured for the Copa America and Peruvians will hope that their star power will boost their chances to win. One worry for the Peru squad, however, is Alberto Rodriguez, who is only now recovering from injury and is doubtful for the Peru vs Paraguay game. 

Claudio Pizarro, however, is fully fit and in good form, scoring in bunches recently for Werder Bremen (Germany), his club team. The tandem between him and Paolo Guerrero will be formidable, and hopefully they will be able to score lots of goals. Supply will not be lacking, as Juan Manuel Vargas and Jefferson Farfan are also fully fit to play. Vargas may be a bit out of form as he has only played two games for Fiorentina (Italy) this season; however, he has never underperformed for Peru, so he will look to pick up his game. Spirits are high, so let the qualifiers begin! Arriba Peru!

Markarian’s Call-up: 

GK: Erick Delgado (Sporting Cristal), Salomon Libman (Alianza Lima), Leao Butron (USMP), Raul Fernandez (Nice, France)

RB: Renzo Revoredo (Sporting Cristal), Aldo Corzo (USMP), Roberto Guizasola (Juan Aurich) 

LB: Yoshimar Yotun (Sporting Cristal), Gianfranco Espinoza (Leon de Huanuco) 

CB: Santiago Acasiete (Almeria, Spain), Alberto Rodriguez (Sporting CP, Portugal), Christian Ramos (Alianza Lima) 

RM: Ronald Quinteros (Union de Santa Fe, Argentina), Luis Advincula (Sporting Cristal) 

LM: Luis Trujillo (Alianza Lima), Juan Manuel Vargas (Fiorentina, Italy) 

Attacking Mid: Michael Guevara (Sport Boys), Carlos Lobaton (Sporting Cristal), Rinaldo Cruzado (Chievo, Italy), William Chiroque (Juan Aurich) 

DM: Antonio Gonzales (Universitario), Adán Balbín (USMP), Josepmir Ballón (River Plate, Argentina)  

FW: Claudio Pizarro (Werder Bremen, Germany), Paolo Guerrero (HSV, Germany), Jefferson Farfán (Schalke 04, Germany), Raúl Ruidiaz (Universitario), Wilmer Aguirre (San Luis, Mexico)

Mr. Wall’s Point of View on Peru

I'm personally excited to see the international players back in the squad, as they can really provide magic and goals. This is the 28 man squad, so three players will have to be dropped soon. I would like to see Butron, Guevara, and Guizasola dropped. They are good players, but the other men in their positions are much better, and I would like to see them get playing time instead. Butron is just recovering from injury, and recently has been showing his age. I’d like Delgado to get some playing time, and I want Fernandez to get used to being the first choice keeper. One player I am particularly disappointed that didn’t get called up is Retamozo. Against Bolivia, Retamozo was our hard man in midfield, something Peru has lacked since the days of Caranza and Cueto. He could really help boss our midfield. Balbin and Ballon are excellent for that position too, but Retamozo seemed to be more effective and is less injury prone than his compatriots. However, I have never seen Antonio Gonzales play before, and he could be great as well; in other words, I trust Markarian to play the right players and make adjustments where necessary.

My ideal formation/lineup:

I would play a 4-4-2 with an emphasis on wing play. Farfan and Vargas are excellent wingers and should be utilized. Trujillo and Advincula are also of high quality and can step in if either Farfan or Vargas happens to underperform, so there is depth there too.

GK: Delgado/Fernandez 

RB: Renzo Revoredo 

CB: Santiago Acasiete, Alberto Rodriguez 

LB: Yoshimar Yotun 

RW: Jefferson Farfan 

CM: Rinaldo Cruzado, Adan Balbin 

LW: Juan Manuel Vargas 

2nd ST: Paolo Guerrero 

ST: Claudio Pizarro 

Subs: Delgado/Ferdandez (GK), William Chiroque (2nd ST), Luis Advincula (RW), Luis Trujillo (LW), Carlos Lobaton (CM), Josepmir Ballon (CM), Christian Ramos (CB) 


I cannot decide whether Delgado or Fernandez should start. Ideally, I would start Delgado against Paraguay to see how he does. If he does well (and better than Fernandez in Copa America), then start him against Chile.