Stopping Son Heung-Min and Mitona: the challenge of the national team in the friendlies against Korea and Japan

two friendlies in FIFA date against rivals of the hierarchy who played -and surprised- in Qatar 2022. Both teams reached the round of 16.

“After more than 10 years we face two great teams that today are among the main positions in the FIFA ranking. Our technical command commissioned us to manage with teams with a high level of competition”said Agustín Lozano after the rivals became official.

“The competition against elite teams will make us accelerate the level we have”had commented reynoso about these kinds of matches. In the date FIFA Last time it was Germany and Morocco, now Peru will clash with two teams that not only played in the last World Cup, but are almost at the same level (or better) than our team.

As well as the clashes in Europe, those that will be played in Asia, on the other side of the world, will serve as a kind of simulator with a view to the Qualifiers. If the friendlies before The Savior or lower level selections are used to test players, these meetings are to consolidate an idea. And that is what the Bicolor coach is looking for: to consolidate his idea of ​​the game in the last tests before the good thing begins, the Qualifiers.

Why did the FPF accept both friendlies and play them away?

Trade was able to learn that the mini tour that Peru will have through Asian lands is due, in the first place, thanks to a businessman who promoted this party on the other side of the world, something that Peruvian Football Federation He did not see it with bad eyes, since, as mentioned lines above, they are level rivals.

Another point is right there. Rivals are viewed favorably by Juan Reynoso. South Korea and Japan are preparing for the Asian Qualifiers that will begin in October and have changed the format for this edition because they have more places for the World Cup (8 direct and one for the playoffs).

In fact, both selected are undoubtedly rivals with which the real level of the Blanquirroja can be measured. South Korea, for example, has in its ranks Heung Min Sonthe attacker of tottenham hotspur that will put national defense in trouble. For its part, Japan, which follows the plan of its project to be world champion in 2092, has a better squad, more enriched and with more figures: in Qatar, for example, 19 of the 26 called up played for European clubs.

Among the most prominent is Kaoru Mitoma, end of the surprising Brighton of England who a few years ago did a thesis on dribbling that helped him perfect his plays in attack. They are also Takumi Minamino from Monaco with a recent past at Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool and Takefusa Kubo, exReal Madrid who plays for Real Sociedad. Attackers all three, problems to solve for the Peruvian defense.

On the other hand, looking from the rivals’ perspective, the Asians have also started looking for rivals from this part of the world.

They will be the last official tests -any other previous friendly is not ruled out- before the start of the playoffs. For Juan reynosothat FPF is in a position to negotiate friendlies of this level, it is great news. What the coach is looking for is to consolidate once and for all his idea of ​​the game in different contexts that can occur on the way to the next World Cup.