The Peruvians haven’t been to a World Cup since 1982, and two huge matches this week could decide my team’s fate. For better or worse, I’m keeping the faithWith six matches to go in South American World Cup qualification, the table could hardly be tighter. The difference between first-placed Brazil and fifth-placed Argentina is eight points. Below them, three other teams still have a realistic chance of qualification. Only Bolivia and Venezuela are out of it. Related: Germany 1-0 England: five talking points from the friendly in Dortmund | Jamie Jackson Continue reading...
Peru face Chile in a vital derby on Tuesday, and much rests on their world-class No9 – a man who, if he wasn’t Peruvian, would be playing for BarcelonaLet me begin by saying that Ramiro Funes Mori is a fine player. Since making his international debut last year, the 25-year-old Everton defender has emerged as an important member for Argentina, as his versatility (he can play center-back or left-back) mixed with his strength and aerial dominance make the ex-River Plate player a valuable asset for the Albiceleste. Related: Conmebol enters gruelling second half and Chile need to start winning Continue reading...
The South American section of World Cup qualifying has reached the halfway stage, and while Uruguay and Brazil look well placed, Chile could get left behindWith Conmebol at the halfway stage, and with an important round of fixtures on Tuesday, it might seem timely to ponder the following: is this the most difficult confederation from which to qualify for the World Cup? Luis Suárez certainly thinks so. “Yes, yes, yes,” the Uruguay dynamo said last year when pressed on the how hard it was, so to speak. “The Argentinians can tell you, so can the Brazilians and the Colombians, all of them can tell you. It’s the most difficult thing there can be, qualifying for a World Cup from South...