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Australia
0(5)
124
Peru
0(4)
| Saved | A. Valera | |||
| A. Mabil | Scored | |||
| Scored | E. Flores | |||
| J. Maclaren | Scored | |||
| Scored | R. Tapia | |||
| A. Hrustic | Scored | |||
| Missed | L. Adv?-ncula | |||
| C. Goodwin | Scored | |||
| Scored | A. Callens | |||
| A. Mooy | Scored | |||
| Scored | G. Lapadula | |||
| M. Boyle | Saved | |||
| 102' |  | E. Flores | ||
| N. Atkinson | | 12' |
| 0 | Shots | 0 | ||
| 0 | On Target | 0 | ||
| 0 | Fouls | 0 | ||
| 0 | Corners | 0 | ||
| 0 | Offsides | 0 | ||
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 | ||
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 0 |
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The Socceroos are within one victory of successful qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but must face the powerful Peru to get to Qatar. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4am (AEST).
The Socceroos rarely do things the easy way, and once again face a South American opponent in inter-confederation play in their bid to secure a place in the World Cup.
Last week’s hard fought 2-1 victory against UAE will have given them belief and hope, yet the Peruvian challenge will be an even greater task, with the pressure of the fixture only adding to the challenge of overcoming it.
Coach Graham Arnold sprang a few selection surprises before Ajdin Hrustic, Martin Boyle and Jackson Irvine played superbly against UAE and Awer Mabil, Jamie Maclaren and Riley McGree loom as likely inclusions this time around. Mathew Leckie, Craig Goodwin and Aaron Mooy could be rested from the starting eleven this time out.
The central defensive pair of Bailey Wright and Kye Rowles made a case for re-selection last Wednesday and Nathaniel Atkinson’s role at right-back could be the one Arnold thinks about more than any other, after he was terrorised by blinding speed down the left flank against UAE.
Peru are a polished football team, fifth in their confederation and forced into the knockout stage of qualifying just like the Aussies. National pride is on the line for them, with media reports suggesting that many in Peru see their opponent today as far inferior to them, citing anything other than a win will be a complete failure.
Peru coach Ricardo Gareca takes a powerful team to Qatar and there will be some sense of familiarity for the Socceroos, with a number of players they faced against Peru in the 2018 World Cup, likely to once again feature in the starting eleven for this match.
Question remarks still remain around the Socceroos’ ability to score from open play, with the set-piece sure to provide their best chances this morning. Peru will possess the ball for long periods and the front three of Christian Cueva, Andre Carillo and Gianluca Lapadula will almost certainly cause immense headaches for the Australian back four.
Prediction
Similarly to the way things played out against UAE, first-half tension and nerves could well stifle the flow of what looms as yet another cagey affair. There is simply no tomorrow and the Socceroos must take the bit between their teeth and attack a team that outstrips them on paper for skill and experience.
The Aussies can pull off the upset, yet will need to provide another piece of Australian football folklore to get past Peru by playing with a dare that we have rarely seen from them.
As much as I would like to see the Socceroos in Qatar, logic suggests this could well be a bridge to far.
Peru by a single goal in normal time.
Venue: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Doha
Kick-off: 4am (AEST)
Broadcast: Network 10
Live streaming: Paramount+, 10Play app and website
Betting: Australia $4.60, Draw $3.25, Peru $1.85 – odds via PlayUp
Socceroos Squad
Nathanial Atkinson, Aziz Behich, Martin Boyle, Nicholos D’Agostino, Jason Davidson, Milos Degenek, Kenny Dougall, Mitchell Duke, Denis Genreau, Craig Goodwin, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Fran Karacic, Joel King, Mathew Leckie, Awer Mabil, Jamie Maclaren, Riley McGree, Aaron Mooy, Andrew Redmayne, Kye Rowles, Mathew Ryan, Trent Sainsbury, Gianni Stensness, Adam Taggart, Marco Tilio, Danny Vukovic, Bailey Wright
Peru Squad
P.Gallese, L.Advincula, C.Zambrano, A.Callens, M.Trauco, R.Tapia, Y.Yotun, S.Pena, A.Carrillo, G.Lapadula, C.Cueva, A.Corzo, M.Lopez, P.Aquino, L.Abram, G.Costa, R.Garcia, J.Concha, S.Ormego, W.Cartagena, M.Araujo, C.Gonzales, A.Valera, H.Calcaterra, J.Carvallo
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