In Barranquilla, the Inca team spent almost the entire match on their field.
AFP
Argentina coach Ricardo Carreca praised Peru’s “patience” after their 1-0 home win over Colombia in the World Cup qualifiers this Friday.
“We were patient and of course we wanted more attacking chances. Colombia did not leave us,” the strategist told a news conference after the game, which temporarily left the Incas in the direct qualifying zone for Qatar 2022.
In Barranquilla, Peru spent almost the entire match at their home ground. But five minutes before the end of the match, winger Edison Flores scored the only goal of the game.
“We defended well and it was a privilege to know how to defend,” Kareka assessed. With three dates remaining, his team has 20 points and finished fourth in the qualifying round, the last place to offer a direct allotment to a global tournament.
With one point less, they chase Uruguay closer to the play-off zone against the Asian team.
“The team played in one of the four finals we had and we knew we depended on ourselves,” Kareka said, looking forward to taking Peru to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, 36 years after the event.
The next day, the Peruvians will face Ecuador in third place in the table with 24 units. (D)
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