16:59 | Wellington (New Zealand), Oct. 18.
"Preparations for Peru's football invasion into New Zealand next month are well underway," reads the lead by NZ Herald's soccer specialist Michael Burgess.
According to his article, top-level Peruvian officials have already landed in the Oceania country to plan "every last detail of what will unfold before —and after— the first leg between the
All Whites and Peru in Wellington on November 11."
Peru's team manager Antonio Garcia Pye and head physical trainer Nestor Bonillo arrived last Tuesday with the purpose of inspecting the accommodation options, training spots, and
Westpac Stadium, the game's venue.
"While both federations are the looking into the possibilities of a private flight from Wellington to Lima after the first leg
play-off match in the capital, the Peru Football Association is also believed to be investigating a chartered flight to take their players to New Zealand ahead of the first game [...]," it adds.
Peru's Europe-based stars will travel directly to New Zealand, and it is likely that the remaining athletes —who are based in the Inca country and around the South American region— will get together in Lima before taking a chartered flight to Wellington, to cut down on travel time.
On the other hand, All Whites team manager Rob Pickstock is currently in Lima and assessed the lay of the land ahead of the second leg match scheduled for November 15 in the Inca nation's capital city. He praised Lima National Stadium claiming "it is beautiful."
As is known, Peru's soccer squad will be facing New Zealand in
play-offs following a
1-1 draw with Colombia during their final FIFA World Cup Qualifier.
Peru intends to qualify for
Russia 2018, its first World Cup since Spain 1982.
Note: Article based on information provided by the NZ Herald.
(END) MVB
Published: 10/18/2017