“A mediocre Peru”: the opinion of the Australian press at the end of the second half

The peruvian national team lost to Australia on penalties and will not play the World Cup Qatar 2022. The team led by Ricardo Gareca he was uncomfortable in the ninety minutes and also in extra time. From the twelve steps the Soccerroos prevailed 5-4. For journalist Michael Lynch, from The Age+ newspaper, the red-and-white had a mediocre 90 minutes.

In the previous one, the Australian press and Lynch recognized that the favorite was the Peruvian team, but they appealed to Australia’s defensive and orderly style of play: “Australia have been the better team, created more chances and looked much more likely to win, but their inability to convert any of those chances has cost them, so we went into extra time.”.

“Arnold’s team must now hold their nerve and continue doing what they are doing: taking the contest to a lackluster Peru, which has looked far less intimidating than its reputation suggests.”added Lynch, of English nationality, but based in Australia, where he is one of the most important voices in the sports press.

Words of Gareca

“These are difficult feelings to express. We had expectations of being able to arrive. We were close but unfortunately it didn’t happen. It was a very tight game, with a lot of scoring and few scoring chances. We didn’t want to go to a penalty shootout. The boys left everything. The disappointment is logical for having been left out of a World Cup”, were the first words of the strategist at a press conference.

And he added: “The only thing that overwhelms us right now is pain. The bitterness of not being able to access. We were good, we worked well, but the match was not given to us. We were not fine in our game, due to a tactical job that the rival did. The boys responded physically, despite everything. Peru showed its best version in the supplementary. When we get to Lima it will be time to rethink many things. I have the game in my head that is spinning around me. It’s time to be calm.”