France Wary of Peru As They Seek Second Group C Win
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26 Established 1961 Sports Wednesday, June 20, 2018 France wary of Peru as they seek second Group C win Victory against Peru could send France into knockout phase YEKATERINBURG: After struggling to beat Australia in maybe for his last World Cup, he showed he was an their opening World Cup Group C game, France will not example to follow.” Although they lacked pace and cre- be relishing the challenge of facing Peru tomorrow as they ativity against Australia, France were the only team have often struggled to make an impact against Latin among the title favourites to win their opening game. American opposition. While defending champions Germany were unexpectedly In their last 12 World Cup matches against Latin beaten by Mexico, Spain, Brazil and Argentina were all American teams, France have won four-including beating held to draws. Brazil in the 1998 final-drawn four and lost four. They Hence victory against Peru could send France into the defeated Australia 2-1 to go top of the group while Peru, knockout phase with one game to spare. In contrast, Peru in their first finals since 1982, will have to take risks as they lost 1-0 to Denmark. seek their first win in Russia But the results do not say and that strategy could give how France stuttered and they France some space to hit them do not show how Peru looked on the break, using the pace inspired even though they We need to of Kylian Mbappe and Antoine lacked efficiency. “I don’t think Griezmann. France like to play against be aggressive Ousmane Dembele started South American teams. With against the Socceroos but he our style of play, our way to and solid could sit on the bench with hold the ball, I think we can Olivier Giroud debuting at the cause them trouble,” said full- front of the attacking line. “It back Miguel Trauco. could be like against France centre back Raphael Colombia so we know what to Varane added: “We know that they’re an opponent who expect,” said Giroud referring to their 3-2 defeat by the will put a lot of intensity on everything they do. “We will South Americans in a friendly international in March. need to be aggressive and solid.” To achieve that, coach France will no doubt be hoping for a better result. Peru, Didier Deschamps could hand a starting spot to Blaise who beat France 1-0 in their only meeting in a friendly in Matuidi, who can be an imposing presence in midfield. 1982, will rely heavily on striker Paolo Guerrero, who was Matuidi replaced Corentin Tolisso in the opening a substitute against Denmark. MOSCOW: This combination of pictures created on June 17, 2018 shows Russia’s coach Stanislav match, bringing steel to the midfield instantly. “Blaise The 34-year-old, whose doping ban was frozen just came on showing that he was a leader,” said midfielder before the World Cup, is a likely starter against France Cherchesov at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow (L) and Egypt’s coach Hector Raul Cuper at the Paul Pogba. “He reacted the way the coach wanted him after he impressed with his footwork when he came off Ekaterinburg Arena in Ekaterinburg. Russia will play Egypt in their Russia 2018 World Cup Group A foot- to. For a usual starter who had been sat on the bench, the bench in Peru’s opening match. — Reuters ball match at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg today. — AFP ble.” Neuer revealed that head coach Loew spoke at Germany WCup length during an emergency team meeting after the poor display in Moscow and that the players did not hold back games are now in giving their opinion. ‘WE DIDN’T MINCE WORDS’ “There was a length team meeting,” said Neuer. “We finals: Neuer didn’t mince words, because we want to make things bet- Matches Today’s ter against Sweden. “We talked a lot, such meetings are good, it’s a liberating feeling and the outlines came from VATUTINKI: Germany captain Manuel Neuer said yes- the coach. “We are our harshest critics. “It was a wake-up terday that his side’s two remaining World Cup group call and there has never been such strong communication games are now effectively finals and revealed frank words within the team as after the game against Mexico. “We were exchanged in the team camp as the holders fight to won’t need a second wake-up call. “We want to reach the stay in the tournament. knock-out stages and the team believes that we can do it.” The World Cup holders are under intense pressure Die Mannschaft was slammed by the German media for ahead of Saturday’s second Group F game against Sweden a dreadful first-half performance when their defence was Manuel Neuer in Sochi and the South Korea match next Wednesday in brutally riped apart by Mexico’s counter attacks. Kazan after suffering a shock 1-0 defeat to Mexico on Neuer says all the stops will be pulled out against Sunday. “From now on, we only have finals. The players Sweden. “Every player must ask himself, ‘am I ready to give out in Monday’s closed training session. “It went off, the have to show what they can do, but I am convinced that everything?”, said Germany’s shot-stopper. “In terms of the we can do it,” Neuer said. Pre-World Cup talk from the players who weren’t involved on Sunday really threw performance, I don’t think we need to change players.” themselves into it,” he said. Neuer revealed that even German camp was about becoming the first team since Despite the captain’s insistence that the current team can Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the title. before Loew called for crisis talks, the players were pull it off, former internationals and pundits in Germany already sorting out issues amongst themselves. Now the worry is whether Joachim Loew’s team can are demanding that Loew drops Mesut Ozil and Sami even reach the last 16. “Complaining about what happened “Since no one shirks responsibility, we had already Khedira after both had woeful displays against Mexico. talked a lot after the game, on the bus and at every meal,” doesn’t change anything, we all know that,” said Neuer. Neuer revealed that the players took their frustrations “We have to try to put this behind us as quickly as possi- he said. — AFP Luis Suarez seeks Denmark will be without midfielder WCup redemption Denmark must William Kvist, who sustained suspected fractured ribs in the first half against Peru. He will likely be replaced by Ajax’s as he reaches improve to Lasse Schone against the Australians. The Socceroos thrive in the role of underdog, and this was certainly the 100 caps overcome case in their 2-1 loss to France in their Group C opener on Saturday, when they dogged Aussies conceded both a penalty and a goal to NIZHNIY NOVGOROD: For a player who has VAR decisions. made so many headlines at the World Cup, it They won’t be the favourites in is appropriate that Luiz Suarez will make his SAMARA: Denmark’s talisman Samara, either, but after coming so close 100th appearance for Uruguay at football’s Christian Eriksen knows his side must against the French, Coach Bert van biggest tournament. Barring any last minute rediscover the attacking dynamism of Marwijk only had positive words for his disasters the Barcelona striker will reach his their qualifying campaign if they are to players. century of games for the Celeste today when follow up on their opening victory over “One of the most positive things is they play Saudi Arabia in Rostov-on-Don in Peru with a win against Australia in that we showed guts and we could be Group A’s second round of matches. The Samara tomorrow. ourselves. The next game is another match should be routine and could secure The Danes secured three valuable game, but it gives us confidence,” he Uruguay’s passage to the knockout stage, but points with a 1-0 win over Peru in said. His players have also bought into with Suarez football fans know that very few ROSTOV-ON-DON: Uruguay’s forward Luis Suarez kicks the ball during a training session Saransk but were under pressure for the message in the wake of the loss. things are mundane. much of the game. They now head to “The team had tremendous guts, we at the Rostov Arena in Rostov-On-Don yesterday, on the eve of the Russia 2018 World Cup The last two World Cups have seen Suarez Group A football match between Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. — AFP Samara knowing a win over Australia will just couldn’t get ourselves over the line,” exit in ignominy. In 2010, the forward was put them in the driving seat to qualify said defender Trent Sainsbury. “We were sent off after making a last minute “save” from Group C. almost perfect.” Van Marwijk may be Suarez is a player loved and loathed in Giorgian De Arrascaeta today. Tottenham Hotspur midfielder tempted to turn to veteran Tim Cahill, against Ghana, which helped avoid defeat and Eriksen, who provided the assist for looking to score at his fourth World saw the South Americans progress to the last equal measure; his on-field behaviour has Saudi Arabia still smarting from their Yussuf Poulsen’s winner, admitted Cup, or Daniel Arzani, the youngest four. The incident became so infamous it got been questionable but not so his talent.