For what it's worth, this was Peru's starting midfield
Aquino (DM), age 27, 26 caps plays in Mexico Liga MX for America
Aquino (DM), age 27, 26 caps plays in Mexico Liga MX for America
Yotun (CM) age 32, 117 caps was in Mexico Liga MX/MLS now back Peru
Pena (CM) age 26, 28 caps Malmo (Sweden)
We were mostly over run in that first half. Possession ended up 62% Peru, 38% NZ. We don't want a repeat.
Costa Rica have 2 hugely experienced if slow CMs in Borgas (34) & Tejeda (30), who both started today against Martinique. They also had the very experienced 33 yr old Venegas, playing this morning just in front of them. Hopefully they are going to be slower than the Peruvians, but no doubt technically as good if not better. They have spades of big game experience
Will they go for a younger, more mobile guy in there like alongside them like Galo or Chacon (who both started against Panama)? Looks like they are going to play with a back 4.
I just feel our starting midfield (Garbett, Stamenic & Bell) was too raw. I'd bring in Lewis for Stamenic, or put Garbett at the point of a diamond and bring in Lewis in for Greive. Lewis was there in 2017, that's handy stuff for this huge game.
Good news is that the crowd in Doha shouldn't be as anywhere as intimidating as this virtual 'home' game in Barcelona was for the Peruvians. Younger players especially like Stamenic, Greive (who never played age group WCs) etc will be better for the experience.
We were mostly over run in that first half. Possession ended up 62% Peru, 38% NZ. We don't want a repeat.
Costa Rica have 2 hugely experienced if slow CMs in Borgas (34) & Tejeda (30), who both started today against Martinique. They also had the very experienced 33 yr old Venegas, playing this morning just in front of them. Hopefully they are going to be slower than the Peruvians, but no doubt technically as good if not better. They have spades of big game experience
Will they go for a younger, more mobile guy in there like alongside them like Galo or Chacon (who both started against Panama)? Looks like they are going to play with a back 4.
I just feel our starting midfield (Garbett, Stamenic & Bell) was too raw. I'd bring in Lewis for Stamenic, or put Garbett at the point of a diamond and bring in Lewis in for Greive. Lewis was there in 2017, that's handy stuff for this huge game.
Good news is that the crowd in Doha shouldn't be as anywhere as intimidating as this virtual 'home' game in Barcelona was for the Peruvians. Younger players especially like Stamenic, Greive (who never played age group WCs) etc will be better for the experience.