De Marca Peru: Peruvian champions in the world

The unstoppable tears of Raul Ruidíaz in the United States after winning, for the first time in the history of the Seattle Sounders, the Concachampions to qualify for the Club World Cup. The release of Miguel Araujo after winning the Eerste Divisie to be promoted to the first division of the Netherlands after a tough season. And the kiss to the trophy Gustavo Dulanto for the second consecutive year the champion trophy of the league of Moldova, one of the smallest countries in central Europe. Three Peruvians separated by thousands of kilometers being happy with something in common: the beautiful national flag.

The year is not over yet, but our country already has three consecrated men. And it can be five. Carlos Zambrano Y Luis Advincula were headlines in Boca Juniors victory (6-5 on penalties after a goalless draw) against Racing for the semifinals of the Argentine league. The ‘Xeneize’ now awaits the winner of the duel between Argentinos Juniors and Tigre (it will be played this afternoon) to meet their rival in the grand final on May 22.

For now, they are three compatriots who raised the Peruvian flag in style. Two of them could be summoned by Ricardo Gareca for the playoff. In fact, Néstor Bonillo, physical trainer for the Peruvian team, confirmed that Araujo is the “first player who is already confirmed to train.” A letter arrived in Seattle to reserve the scorer Ruidíaz. Dulanto, for his part, has not yet lost hope of wearing the Bicolor.

Raúl, the scorer who longs to return

“The invitation was extended to everyone (those who come from playing in the MLS). 99% accepted, Raúl (Ruidíaz) also received it but surely he preferred to rest and have vacations more in line with what he needed ”. The words of Juan Carlos Oblitas, in the midst of the work in Videna of some selected with a view to the last dates of the Qualifiers, in January of this year, did not go down well at all.

Ruidíaz, that ‘9’ who never tires of scoring goals in the United States but it cost him when he wore the Blanquirroja, he was in the eye of the storm. However, beyond not being called up anymore and keeping his seven games on the way to Qatar (he did not score in those games), the striker continued to break nets in the Seattle Sounders: he scored one in the semifinals of the Concachampions against New York City and a double in the final against Pumas de Méxicogiving his team the title, being the best of the match and getting into the ideal XI of the tournament.

The former university student thus added his fourth title with the ‘Rave Green’. In his display case are also the two trophies of the Western Conference (2019 and 2020) and Major League Soccer (2019). And now he is not only looking forward to the Club World Cup, a contest in which he will be the Sounders’ all-time scorer (64 goals), but also Ricardo Gareca’s call for the World Cup playoff.

Miguel, a top lock

“I came to a first class team. I know what it is to fall, I suffered a decline and with the same now I enjoy ascending “says one of his many publications after achieving promotion to the Eredivisie. Miguel Araujo he left last season with Emmen FC, a team that also included Sergio Peña (today at Malmö) and Didier La Torre (NK Osijek II from Croatia); but he was the only one who stayed. He ate dirt when he had to eat, and today he enjoys it.

The central defender was one of the bastions of his team. He played 31 of the 38 games of the season, playing 2,726 minutes, and scored four goals. In addition, he had the best average of successful long passes in the entire league. Although there is something that cannot be measured: his leadership from behind to order, a quality that stands out in the technical command of the national team.

That is why Miguel will be the first player to join the work in Videna, although there are still days left for the coach to announce the squad list. He arrived in Lima this Friday and starting tomorrow, Monday, he will start training thinking about the playoffs. “We are a month away from that game that we have been building this season. We have to change the chip quickly and we will be seeing the holidays after the playoffs. Now we are going to prepare 100%”he pointed.

Gustavo, the dreams of making history

Away from his family, almost away from the world, Gustavo Dulanto continues to win. The center-back was champion with the Sheriff of the Moldavian League and they added their seventh star in a row. Just like Bayern Munich in Germany, the Sheriff dominates the domestic competition at will.

Dulanto thus closes a historic, dreamy season. In the Champions League surprised the world by defeating Real Madrid (today a finalist alongside Liverpool) at the very Santiago Bernabéu with the Peruvian as captain and a figure stopping Karim Benzema. They also defeated Shakhtar Donetsk. Now, with the trophy under his arm, the Sheriff will play the ‘Orejona’ again from the previous phases with the same enthusiasm.

But Gustavo hopes to one day wear the shirt of the Peruvian national team, the one that his father Alfonso also defended 25 times. In 2015 he was on the preliminary list for the Copa América, but he was left out, but he never stopped believing. Now less than he is a champion, a starter and with good returns.