All Whites vs Peru | First leg | Sat 11 Nov | 4:15pm | RoF

Did anyone see Michael Utting (or at least,, someone claiming to be him) ranting about Keegan Smith in a Stuff comments section a few weeks ago? That pic just reminded me

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/9834...

In more relevant news, I also saw a Ute full of Peruvian supporters with big flags waving and everything down by the train station this morning. It's a bit sad the city hasn't emmbraced it a bit more, I think for the Mexico game businesses and stuff were much more onboard

Wellington seems to be seriously losing its mojo when it comes to events - the sevens were the ultimate and they got strangled. 

Now there appears to have been no effort at all by Wellington or anyone else in New Zealand to embrace this game (apart from Yellow Fever and White Noise).I've seen nothing on it except a few posters around town.That plus banning all the atmosphere at the stadium - we're so lame in this country. Peru - you deserve better, All Whites - so do you.

there are genuine concerns about the lack of Guerrero at defensive set pieces. He was usually in charge of attacking the ball defensively in corners 

Chris Wood vs Alberto Rodriguez will be an interesting duel 

Peruvian reporters revealed that Rodriguez apparently won the most individual duals out of any player in the 18 rounds of south American qualifiers

They also revealed that Danny Alves had the most passes in the opposition half...irrelevant to this game but still interesting haha

Is it true that Dane Ingham is injured?

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/football/tactical-breakdown-underdog-all-whites-can-topple-peru-world-cup-spot

Pie strain.

I heard he's done his BMI

Have heard Durante is not playing tomorrow, only available for 2nd leg (not that he's in our best XI anyway)

Wynton Rufer on the News said he’d still be keen to play....I’d have put him up front with Wood even now  ??

What time are Peru arriving in Wellington? It’s a strong southerly right now so hopefully it’ll give them a nice welcome!

arriving shortly

I think Carrillo is also tall enough to match up defensively...he might have to take over Guerreros duties

I think Carrillo is also tall enough to match up defensively...he might have to take over Guerreros duties

As long as we always have one of Durante or Reid available for their leadership qualities

Spoke to a Peruvian lady on the plane and she had paid $300 for her match ticket, and her Sydney based uncle $700 as a last minute purchase!! She was adamant not part of some package tour operation. So is NZF rorting up the prices for Peruvian fans in the away section??

Must have been paid for late and got from Trade Me or what ever that other site is. Because if they used ticketek they could have got them at the same price as everyone else.

Just did a bit of quick searching around and if Peru play the same line up against us as they did against Colombia (With Farfan in for Guerrero) in their last game of qualifying then set pieces are going to be a major threat for us.

If their tallest 5 players are on our tallest 5 then it would look something like this;

Wood (1.91m) vs Ramos (1.85m)

Reid (1.90m) vs Tapia (1.85m)

Boxall or Themi (1.88m or 1.87m) vs Rodriguez (1.83m)

Smith (1.87m) vs Carillo (1.81m)

Tuiloma (1.82m) vs Farfan (1.78m)

Just some food for thought..........

http://m.bbc.com/sport/football/41860130

Good write up from the beeb about what the players go through. Better than anything I've read from our journo's here

so "short" was sweeping generalisation.

They are all short to me.

I do question if we are a little light in the engine room but he is essentially putting his best players out there. As someone else said, you could play a bus driver if you want as long as you get a result.

Prime has a replay in the PM...

I thought Ingham is injured.....if he is not and plays then the quick Peruvian wingers will hammer his side of the field...defensively it is a glaring weakness. I would go for Roux....he is better positionally on defense.

I suspect this will be Hudsons team...unless he does something really weird and starts Fallon upfront with Wood and then pounds them with long balls all match. The midfield looks very light weight...I know Thomas is highly rated as a midfielder in Holland but I don't see who is going to physically hustle in midfield.....someone who will make tackles, screen the CB's, win turnover ball. If we concede the midfield then it will be a long long day at the office for our defense. We also really need a plan to get the midfield out wide to support our wide defenders...Peru are very good attacking down the flanks.

As for the match...the longer it stays 0-0 the more pressure will go on the Peruvians and the more the NZ fans will come into it. I have been watching a few of Peru's recent WC qualifying matches on Youtube......they are a very very good side. Way better IMO than Mexico

My heart says NZ 1-0......my head says Peru 3-1.

the return leg kicks off at what time in NZ? Thursday 10:15? Cheers

15:30 Thursday NZ time.

Thanks guys

I need to reschedule my day given how well we will play tomorrow.

Seems pretty spot on to me.

Fire Up!

May by AWs keeper in 2022 or 2026