Return to Relevance: Peru's Road to Russia 2018 (PES 2016)

[PeruvianPlaya954]

Peru players acknowledge difficult challenge ahead in Group of Death

Peru was drawn into Group B of the 2015 Copa America yesterday along with Argentina, Uruguay, and the United States. Here is what some of the Peruvian players had to say about the group while training with their clubs:

Claudio Pizarro: I agree that it is the Group of Death. Argentina and Uruguay are World Cup regulars, so is the U.S., which is always improving, and we've shown we're getting better as well. Still, the knockout stages are our goal.

Josepmir Ballon: Chasing around Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani is an awfully big challenge. Whether it's me or someone else, we'll be up for it.

Carlos Zambrano: Group of Death or not, these are the big games that you really want to play in. I'm confident we can have a good showing at the Copa America.

Andre Carrillo: We shocked many people by taking third place in 2011. I think we can surprise again.

[PeruvianPlaya954]

Sanchez, Rengifo named to Peru's domestic squad for January exhibitions

LIMA -- Making the most of an opportunity usually leads to more looks at the international level. For a number of domestic-based Peruvian players, that opportunity has arrived.

The Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) unveiled Ricardo Gareca's 23-man roster for the first 2015 friendlies against Jamaica and Qatar, and the squad includes veterans like Hernano Rengifo and Joel Sanchez. Promising up-and-comers were also included, such as Yordy Reyna and Miguel Trauco.

"We thank the FPF and the Peruvian clubs for releasing these players even though they didn't have to since we're not in an international window," said Gareca in a statement. "Me and the coaching staff want to expand the pool, take a closer look at some other players, and this camp will provide us a major opportunity to do just that. The players have to seize the moment."

PERU ROSTER FOR JANUARY 2015
Goalkeepers (3): Raul Fernandez, Pedro Gallese, Salomon Libman
Defenders (8): Pedro Requena, Renzo Revoredo, Carlos Ascues, Christian Ramos, Hansell Riojas, Luis Abram, Jair Cespedes, Miguel Trauco
Midfielders (9): Joel Sanchez, Christian Cueva, Andy Polo, Christofer Gonzales, Oscar Vilchez, Adan Balbin, Edwin Retamoso, Rinaldo Cruzado, Yordy Reyna
Forwards (3): Johan Fano, Hernan Rengifo, Ivan Bulos

[PeruvianPlaya954]

Riojas eager to improve standing in crowded centerback pool

LIMA -- There is no shortage of centerbacks from which Peru head coach Ricardo Gareca can choose from these days, but one player is looking to make his way up the depth chart this month.

Hansell Riojas was included in the domestic-based, 23-man roster that Gareca named for a pair of friendlies against Jamaica and Qatar, and the young central defender is aiming to deliver strong showings in those games and in training to boost his standing in a crowded pool that only counts Carlons Zambrano and Carlos Ascues as a regulars.

"Behind those two, the positions appears to be wide open," Riojas, who has earned one cap under Gareca's watch, said after Peru's second practice. "Ricardo has a lot of options, of course, but this is an opportunity to prove my worth, to solidify my spot in the team."

[PeruvianPlaya954]

Peru lets multiple leads slip away, ties Jamaica

LIMA -- Peru took three separate leads against Jamaica. Peru also let three separate leads vanish against Jamaica.

Peru started a busy 2015 by playing to a frustrating 3-3 draw with Jamaica in a friendly at Estadio Nacional. Darren Mattocks caused the Peruvian fits, scoring twice and assisting on the final equalizer in the 86th minute.

The home game started so brightly for manager Ricardo Gareca and his domestic-based squad, as Johan Fano struck six minutes in. Mattocks quickly pulled Jamaica level, however.

The teams traded heavier blows in the second half. Fano netted again to put Peru up, 2-1, shortly after halftime, but Mattocks tied the game for the second time in the 66th minute. The Jamaican then set up the late finish from Joel Grant that canceled out an Andy Polo tally.

PERU 3-3 JAMAICA
Possession: 52-48
Shots (Shots On Goal): 10(8) - 6(3)
Yellow Cards:
Red Cards:

GOALS
6' -- Peru -- Johan Fano -- Fano went up for a contested header on a corner kick, but the ball ricocheted off his mark and straight up into the air. On the second attempt, Fano nodded it into home.
9' -- Jamaica -- Darren Mattocks -- After Jair Cespedes was caught trying to unnecessarily dribble out of pressure in Peru's half, Raul Fernandez had to save a shot from close. Mattocks was there for the rebound, though.
52' -- Peru -- Johan Fano -- The forward collected a pass just outside the edge of the 18-yard box, cut inside his defender, dribbled diagonally, and slotted a shot home.
66 -- Jamaica -- Darren Mattocks (DeShorn Brown) -- A simple ball from Brown found Mattocks outside the box. Hansell Riojas thought Mattocks was taking a shot and slid, which opened an easy path to goal for the finish.
79' -- Peru -- Andy Polo (Yordy Reyna) -- Polo scored with a tap-in at the back post after Reyna won a ball deep in Jamaica's third and played a deflected pass between a defender's legs.
86' -- Jamaica -- Joel Grant (Darren Mattocks) -- The strike came from a tight angle due to substitute goalkeeper Salomon Libman taking a terrible angle to cut off the through ball from Mattocks. Edwin Retamoso also failed to track Grant on the play.

PERU LINEUP (4-3-3):
GK: Raul Fernandez (c) (Salomon Libman 45')
RB: Pedro Requena
RCB: Carlos Ascues
LCB: Hansell Riojas
LB: Jair Cespedes (Miguel Trauco 58')
DM: Oscar Vilchez (Edwin Retamoso 69')
CM: Christofer Gonzales (Adan Balbin 83')
CAM: Christian Cueva
RW: Joel Sanchez (Andy Polo 58')
LW: Yordy Reyna (Rinaldo Cruzado 79')
ST: Johan Fano

[PeruvianPlaya954]

Peru pours it on late to rout Qatar

LIMA -- It appeared for a moment that Peru might have to sweat it out despite dominating Qatar. That feeling lasted just a moment, however.

Peru scored three goals after the 81st minute to grab an impressive 5-1 win over Qatar in a game played on a nice summer night at Estadio Monumental. Qatar made the game interesting at 2-1 in the 78th minute with a sensational strike from Khalid Muftah, but Ivan Bulos, Luis Abram, and Yordy Reyna all found the back of the net late to help the Peruvians run away with a lopsided victory.

In total, five different players got on the scoresheet for Ricardo Gareca's side in the exhibition, but the winner came from Christian Cueva in first-half stoppage time.

The other goal-scorer for Peru was Hernan Rengifo.

PERU 5-1 QATAR
Possession: 64-36
Shots (Shots On Goal): 12(5) - 5(4)
Yellow Cards: Peru: Joel Sanchez (21'), Oscar Vilchez (56')
Red Cards:

GOALS
41' -- Peru -- Hernan Rengifo (Andy Polo) -- Polo played a casual ball into space before Rengifo tucked it away with a one-timed effort.
45+3' -- Peru -- Christian Cueva -- The wide midfielder cut in from the left flank, ran horizontally, and smashed home a right-footed shot with power.
78' -- Qatar -- Khalid Muftah (Meshal Abdullah) -- A seemingly harmless square pass from Abdullah found Muftah, who took a bad first touch that bounced before adjusting and uncorking a perfect half-volley from 23 yards out that stung off the far post at midrange and went in.
82 -- Peru -- Ivan Bulos -- A late corner was flicked up into the air by Qatar before Bulos tracked it down and nodded it into the back of the net.
87' -- Peru -- Luis Abram (Rinaldo Cruzado) -- Another set piece paid off, as Abram outjumped a pair of makers to meet Cruzado's corner delivery and finish with a skipping header.
90+3' -- Peru -- Yordy Reyna (Joel Sanchez) -- Sanchez chipped a ball in behind the defense, and Reyna raced to it and smashed his effort to the near post.

PERU LINEUP (4-4-1-1):
GK: Pedro Gallese
RB: Renzo Revoredo
RCB: Christian Ramos (c)
LCB: Luis Abram
LB: Jair Cespedes (Miguel Trauco 58')
RM: Andy Polo (Yordy Reyna 61')
DM: Edwin Retamoso (Carlos Ascues 83')
DM: Oscar Vilchez (Adan Balbin 77')
LM: Christian Cueva (Rinaldo Cruzado 71')
SS: Joel Sanchez
ST: Hernan Rengifo (Ivan Bulos 71')

[PeruvianPlaya954]

Gareca sees depth strengthening after fringe players show promise

LIMA -- The 2015 Copa America is approaching quickly. Good thing then for Ricardo Gareca that his player pool is expanding.

Peru finished its domestic-based January camp with a frustrating draw with Jamaica and lopsided triumph over Qatar, but the results were never Gareca's main priority. Instead, the Peru head coach was aiming to strengthen his side's depth ahead of the Copa America in Chile.

As far as he is concerned, mission accomplished.

"I'm overall satisfied with what I saw this month. Players in this camp made a real case for themselves," said Gareca. "We had seven different players score, others on the defensive side show well, and there was a real hunger from everyone to prove their worth."

While Gareca refrained from naming anyone in specific, he admitted that he would call in some of the better performers for March's preparatory friendlies against Venezuela and Uruguay.

"Our depth is stronger than it was when I first arrived," said Gareca. "The coaching staff and I have a better idea of what more players are capable of, and you can expect to see some of these faces in our next camp."

[PeruvianPlaya954]

Press labels Reyna, Polo, Cueva standout performers in January camp

Local reporters and media members saw lots of potential and promise in the domestic-based camp that Peru started 2015 with, and there was no shortage of plaudits for the fringe players looking to break into the first-choice side.

Here is a consensus of how some players did as well as storylines of interest:

STOCK UP

Yordy Reyna: Saw time in both games, and looked fearless in each of them. He was aggressive with his play, dangerous in the final third, and had a goal and an assist.

Andy Polo: His speed kept defenses honest and his trailing runs into the penalty area were a positive. His game is still a little rough around the edges, but he is one to keep an eye on for the future.

Christian Cueva: Was very good on the dribble as evidenced by his great goal, and combined well with teammates. Another plus is he has the versatility to play on the flanks or in the center attacking midfield role.

STOCK DOWN

Salomon Libman: Played just 45 minutes and looked poor. He took an awful angle to cut off a through ball late vs. Jamaica, and that cost Peru the win.

Hansell Riojas: Failed to improve his standing in the centerback depth chart, as he struggled and practically gave Jamaica a goal with an ill-advised slide tackle that left an open path to the net.

Edwin Retamoso: Didn't read the game particularly well, came out second-best in lots of his tackle attempts, and was unable to cover much ground due to his aging legs.

LINGERING QUESTIONS

-How many of the players who stood out in this camp will Gareca call-up in March?

-Is the 4-3-3 formation worth trying again with the full team or should it be tossed away for the time being?

-Why is Retamoso still getting looks given his continued subpar play?

[PeruvianPlaya954]

Costa Rica, Colombia to serve as Peru's final Copa America tune-ups

LIMA -- Two of the more surprising teams from the last major international tournament will serve as Peru's final tests before this summer's Copa America.

The Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) announced today that Peru will play 2014 World Cup quarterfinalists Colombia and Chile in the last friendlies before the Copa America in Chile.

Costa Rica is not partaking in this June's competition, and as such will visit Peru at Estadio Nacional in Lima. Colombia, meanwhile, will face the Peruvians at Estadio La Portada in La Serena, Chile.

"Our final tune-ups for the Copa America are against two teams that are on the rise," said Peru head coach Ricardo Gareca in a statement released by FPF. "Colombia and Costa Rica with their talented players will serve as good opponents for us as we round out our preparations for the Copa America."

Before those games, Peru will face Venezuela and Uruguay in March friendlies. Gareca's roster for the upcoming matches against the CONMEBOL duo is expected to be unveiled in the next week or so.