Post by Aber Wolf on Sept 6, 2009 1:14:17 GMT
I've been in Peru (again!) the last three weeks and today, me and the people I was traveling with plus a few others from the hostel in Lima we're staying in went to watch Peru in a qualifier against Uruguay.
Due to setting off only half an hour before kick-off, heavy traffic and the stadium being further away than expected (held at a stadium on the edge of Lima instead of the national ground), we arrived ten minutes after the game had started.
The first half was a fairly cautious affair with Peru seemingly more interested in not losing (and who could blame them after six consecutive defeats) and playing at a slow tempo, much to the irritation of a partisan home crowd. However, Peru did create more openings, although Uruguay looked more dangerous when they had the ball and created the best chance after some pinball in the Peruvian six-yard box, which ultimately saw the Peruvian keeper tip the ball behind.
The second half saw both teams come out with more interest, resulting in a higher-paced second half. Peru took the game to Uruguay and should have created more chances than they did in the opening 25 minutes. Uruguay could well have punished them, when a cross was headed home, but it was correctly disallowed for offside. Smelling blood, Uruguay continued to press and the Peruvian keeper was forced to expertly tip a volley over.
Ultimately, Uruguay's pressure faded and Peru resumed their attack. Peru continued to press forward, playing like a side without any pressure on their shoulders (which there wasn't really, considering it was already mathematically impossible for them to qualify) and ultimately gained their reward in the 86th minute. A corner was half-cleared and the ball was fed through to their striker Hernan Rengifo, who calmly slotted the ball into the corner. I personally thought he was offside, but don't recall seeing any protestations from the Uruguayans. I could have been too busy celebrating though! And on the subject of celebrations, I've never seen anything like it. Confetti was thrown from balconies, someone was spraying their drink from one of the balconies as well, although it did possess someone to throw a 2L bottle of Cherryade into the crowd below!
Peru continued to press for the final few minutes, but the end was dominated by a brief fight involving all 22 players, although it only resulted in one red card for Diego Godin of Uruguay and one booking apiece for the two teams.
The roar at the final whistle told it all. Peru had beaten Uruguay 1-0, ending a run of seven matches without a win and six straight defeats. A fantastic experience for 60 soles (12 pounds) and the Peruvian team can hold their heads a little higher.
Now to get back into Birmingham on Tuesday morning before settling down to watch England vs Croatia on tv in the evening.
Due to setting off only half an hour before kick-off, heavy traffic and the stadium being further away than expected (held at a stadium on the edge of Lima instead of the national ground), we arrived ten minutes after the game had started.
The first half was a fairly cautious affair with Peru seemingly more interested in not losing (and who could blame them after six consecutive defeats) and playing at a slow tempo, much to the irritation of a partisan home crowd. However, Peru did create more openings, although Uruguay looked more dangerous when they had the ball and created the best chance after some pinball in the Peruvian six-yard box, which ultimately saw the Peruvian keeper tip the ball behind.
The second half saw both teams come out with more interest, resulting in a higher-paced second half. Peru took the game to Uruguay and should have created more chances than they did in the opening 25 minutes. Uruguay could well have punished them, when a cross was headed home, but it was correctly disallowed for offside. Smelling blood, Uruguay continued to press and the Peruvian keeper was forced to expertly tip a volley over.
Ultimately, Uruguay's pressure faded and Peru resumed their attack. Peru continued to press forward, playing like a side without any pressure on their shoulders (which there wasn't really, considering it was already mathematically impossible for them to qualify) and ultimately gained their reward in the 86th minute. A corner was half-cleared and the ball was fed through to their striker Hernan Rengifo, who calmly slotted the ball into the corner. I personally thought he was offside, but don't recall seeing any protestations from the Uruguayans. I could have been too busy celebrating though! And on the subject of celebrations, I've never seen anything like it. Confetti was thrown from balconies, someone was spraying their drink from one of the balconies as well, although it did possess someone to throw a 2L bottle of Cherryade into the crowd below!
Peru continued to press for the final few minutes, but the end was dominated by a brief fight involving all 22 players, although it only resulted in one red card for Diego Godin of Uruguay and one booking apiece for the two teams.
The roar at the final whistle told it all. Peru had beaten Uruguay 1-0, ending a run of seven matches without a win and six straight defeats. A fantastic experience for 60 soles (12 pounds) and the Peruvian team can hold their heads a little higher.
Now to get back into Birmingham on Tuesday morning before settling down to watch England vs Croatia on tv in the evening.