Fantastic stuff and best of luck to Peru against New Zealand. A few seconds after the goal, they show the crowd. Definitely looks like an Asian-Peruvian presumably of Japanese descent? Fantastic crowd and this looks like the year for the underdogs.
Best of luck to you in the playoffs. I'm sure you'll beat NZ and be at Russia for what should be a memorable affair. As for us, I'm sure it'll be a year to forget.. Congratulations and may the pisco flow freely.
My gratitude I would like to say big thanks to everyone who repped my previous post and to @edlee1992, @Sons of Thunder, @wrecklesssoldier, et. al for their nice words of support, moreover to @hanul21 as I'm surprised not only because you knew the name of our national soft drink but also to remember that I'm a teetotaler. (I must confess that my favorite drink is mango or peach juice). Speaking of which, I'd have to agree that probably one of the spectators is from Japanese origin. From zero to hero To us, this draw is so important to our morale, as until today we were often being laughed at and made fun by our South American neighbors because our constant loss rate. Our team was accustomed from defeat after defeat and marred by serious licentiousness in and outside the field led us to be considered no more treat than a buffoon. But this era has came to an end. The turning point was ruling to ban from re election to a fourth term by our sporting authorities of the former president from our football association. This led to his retirement and with him members of the directors board as elections for new members took place in late 2014. This added to the aftermath of the FIFA scandal of 2015 paved the way to the necessity to cleanse the things which were done wrong in order to thwart any further damages and fearing sanctions to our association. Once the new comitee was formed mr. Gareca was hired and although we faced a similar results as way back, the second change came. It was him who decided to leave out of the squad players from abroad such as Pizarro, Farfan, among others. Which despite coming from big names such as Werder Bremen & Bayern Munich, Schalke 04, knew his "contributions" were more of a liability than a bonus. Several local media reports at the time had a myriad of evidence accusing them from skipping training drills before key matches, staying up late in parties, taking part in local celebrity scandals, appearing at cocktails, weddings, horse races and being focused in their own businesses other than commitment to play. He also decided to discard over aged players and those who had been on the bench abroad for an entire season and rely on experienced ones which had some continuity in regional leagues such as Guerrero (currently on Flamengo ) and Cueva (now on Sao Paulo). He also scouted for youth players from our local leagues and relied heavily on well established ones which were in winning streak such as Universitario. It was during this process when he "found" our current goalie (Gallese) who saved us big time in key matches. With this changes in mind and a new squad we went on to play Copa America Centenario in 2015 where we came on top and eliminated Brazil in the group stages, but lost to Colombia on penalties in quarterfinals, and due the good performance from our players they gained notoriety and ended up in abroad leagues. From then on, and despite our doubtful start, it was how our recovery came from. We went in crescendo by first a win against Ecuador, Bolivia and Uruguay at home. Then our first ever away wins in Paraguay and Ecuador and finally drawing against Venezuela away, an impressive draw against Argentina in their home turf and Colombia at home which is the video I posted earlier. This all summed up to be in the place where we are at now. So that's how it is. Never take something for granted. Had you make the right decisions then all can become into a turn for good, moreover in football. The match of '85 There is something I would also like share, Do you remember the part when I mentioned about Argentina way back to qualifiers for Mexico '86?. We'll there's a bitter anecdote behind it. Around that time, the qualifying format in our continental zone was very similar to the last two rounds you guys had just took part a month ago. Teams were divided into 3 groups, the winner qualified and the runner-up and 3rd-place advanced to a play off knockout. Argentina was in our group along with Colombia and Venezuela. Somehow we managed to be in the runner up position behind Argentina trailing by just one point (we were at 7 and they on 8). Since we secured a win (1-0) at home and with Maradona on the field, this made us confident that we could book our tickets to Mexico in the final match of the group. The last game in June 30th, 1985 was scheduled to be in Buenos Aires, however it was that day they when we were reminded the so-called fame Argentines have been known for, cheating and being sore losers when things don't go accordingly to their needs. As the story goes, Argentina association gave strict orders to wet the turf in Monumental and turn it muddy before the game, knowing that we lacked of experience to play in such conditions, to which they prepared beforehand. Even though, we went on to participate anyway. The match began up with both teams desperate to wait each other to concede a chance. Now this is when things began to turn ugly. In order to break the stalemate their coach (Bilardo) made a controversial decision. He called up their right back man (Julian Camino) and instructed him to inflict an injury to Navarro (our best striker at the time and our most valuable asset in the earlier victory against them) in the opening minutes (6'). Despite knowing that such orders would be very dangerous as Argentina could end up with 10-man, he proceeded with the plan. Televised replays clearly showed the harsh foul on Navarro but despite claims from Peru's bench the referee Arppi Filho refused to red card Camino and gave a yellow instead. Not long after, Pasculli scored (1-0), which resulted our attack and defense to fell into disarray. However we bounced back, and after an impressive run by Cueto we equalized (1-1) in the 23rd minute. It was after that goal that we gained momentum and upset the entire stadium when Barbadillo scored (2-1) in the 39th minute. From then on, we exchanged ball possession with Argentina, which resulted in what is regarded here as the Maradona-Reyna feud, as our midfielder Reyna hard fought to get the ball from him in numerous occasions to the point that it became entertaining to spectators. However with less than 10 minutes to stoppage time, our dreams would be shattered. A mid range shot from Pasarella proved too difficult to control for our keeper (Acasuzo), which resulted the ball to end up in the goal line. At the very moment our midfielder Javier Chirinos (who went in as a sub for Reyna) was running and ready to kick the ball out, received in the area a strong push from behind by Pasculli. As a result this opened the opportunity for Ricardo Gareca (yes our present day coach) to score (2-2). Goal from Gareca around minute 4.26 Regardless the controversial play, the referee ignored pleas to invalidate the goal which came from Peru's bench. Even though the adversity, our guys kept on playing and did the best they could to score but the time (and Maradona) was not in our side. The match ended 2-2. The aftermath Argentina got what they wanted, the draw resulted them booking their tickets to the world cup in Mexico the following year. Since we ended up as runners up (8 points in total), it would meant that we had to play against Chile in a home and away basis and wait the winner between Colombia (who ended up third place) and Paraguay (as runners up in their Group) for a final showdown. However the match against Argentina left a deep blow to our morale, plus the physical exhaustion that resulted from the game also took their toll in our guys. We ended falling to Chile at home and away with 2-5 in aggregate score. Despite taking advantage from a weakened team, Chile could not secure a win against Paraguay, who knocked out Colombia. As a result Paraguay qualified. Arppi Filho went on to supervise the final match of the World Cup when Argentina lifted the trophy. He has not yet made comments for his decision on that game but many serious sources and sports pundits agree that it was based on fears that an angry crowd would had rioted and attacked him had he reversed his decision and voiding the late goal from Argentina. Additional to this there was also pressure from Argentina association who at the time was very influential in CONMEBOL's authorities to let go these incidents.. The frustration from not qualifying to the World Cup in Mexico lasted for over a decade as our team performed poorly in the following qualification tournaments to Italy '90 and USA '94. We were so desperate to find somebody who could take the helm, that we even hired a Yugoslav coach (from which country at the time was struggling a civil war). Our biggest chance would come up the next qualifiers to France '98 as Brazil the defending champions advanced automatically leaving 4 spots (as the increase from 24 to 32 teams allowed the allocation of 5 places in our continental zone). With new rules in place (this time all countries played against each other in a home and away basis) meant we could have a chance. However the story repeated again, but this time it was more heartbreaking than the last time. We were leading on 22 points and our closest contender Chile was urging for a victory at 19 points. The nerves and anxiety went against us, as we fell to them in Santiago (0-4). Our nemesis bullied us with nasty and rude manners before and after the game by insulting with racial slurs to our boys when we arrived and reminding us a notorious defeat we had against them a century ago. They also camped outside the Hotel which received our players and made strong noises all-night long in order to disturb our guys well needed rest. Prior to the match they also booed our national anthem so loudly that it couldn't be heard during the televised coverage much to the surprise of our commentators as they admitted it was the first time they witnessed that level of hostility against a visitor. Chilean crowd booing Peruvian national anthem during the qualifiers to France 98 Do you guys remember the fight between Rocky and Drago?, well it was something like that. This added to the already existing pressure on our players, was seen as an opportunity by Chileans who quickly managed to instill fear in our back lines by a series of continuous foul play. Needless to say that they mocked our defeat. At our return home we faced the awful truth. The loss in Santiago made a damage we couldn't repair, our last win against Paraguay (1-0) was not enough to surpass Chile as we tied on 25 points but they had a better goal difference (+14, while we ended up with -1). No, we didn't had our Miracle of Doha. The upset from the campaign in 1997 left a profound blow not only to our morale (again) but also to our self-esteem which lasted another generation. As our results went downhill in the following qualifiers to Korea/Japan in '02, Germany '06, South Africa '10 and Brazil '14. Coaches and players from abroad went in and out and since we reached our all-time low nobody seemed to care. Until it happened the events that I mentioned many paragraphs above. Ricardo Gareca didn't made it to the World Cup in Mexico. Despite his goal allowed Argentina to qualify, the coach ignored him in favor of other players. Rumors say that he wasn't so close to Maradona and also he didn't fulfilled Bilardo's style of play who preferred multitasking guys instead of fixed position players. Gareca was known for his only-effectiveness in the area. To this day many of his former teammates regret that the coach made that decision, his most vocal supporter is Ruggeri who is now a commentator for Fox Sports in Argentina. In fact when he was named the new coach for Peru, many journalists and former tv personalities remarked their doubts and dissatisfaction due the memories of '85. Who knew he would put us in the place where we are at now. So, what happened to Julian Camino? (the guy who fouled us). Years later in 1987 he met Navarro during a match of Estudiantes at the time Navarro was playing for Independiente. Camino approached him to apologize for the incident. That match ended 5-1 with Independiente as the winner and Navarro scoring 4 of those goals. Not long after Camino faded from notoriety, his career never recovered and retired in 1991. Did Chile went with their way? Well Chile only managed to get three draws in the world cup the following year, against Italy, Austria and Cameroon, the only reason they advanced to the next round was due Austria's poor performance. However here, we celebrated their loss at hands of Brazil who knocked them out in the round of 16th by 4-1. TV commentators in our country couldn't contain themselves from openly showing their joy on-air at the result. And as a gesture of sympathy "we" supported Brazil on that world cup. Although FIFA did imposed sanctions to Chilean association for their behavior, they dictated that these were only come into effect during the following qualifiers (Korea/Japan '02). However we didn't benefited on points from them, but it seemed to take their toll on Chileans as they finished at the bottom in what is regarded until today their worst ever performance in the qualifiers (perhaps until this year). We didn't qualify to that World Cup but didn't prevented us from exchanging the "same courtesy" we received years ago. Although we won by 3-1 in Lima, our chances were very low as other teams had already obtained more points than us, it was merely a symbolic victory. Peru v. Chile match in 2001 to qualifiers to Korea/Japan. The class of '73 When I tell my close friends and colleagues about the events we had gone through I often compare it to Korea's quest during qualifiers to West Germany in 1974. After a strong start by beating Thailand and drawing to Malaysia and Israel. You guys marched over Hong Kong and secured a very important win over Israel after extra time with Cha Bum-kun scoring 1-0 around 109th minute. The lineup at the time consisted of legends like Cha Bum-kun, Ko Jae-wook, Kim Ho-kon, Kim Jin-kook, Kim Jae-han, Park Lee-chun among others. But a great generation was denied their participation in West Germany due Australia's equalizer in the match at home (which you guys were leading the score 2-1 up to the 47th minute). This outcome forced a tie-breaker game in Hong Kong to which ended in a loss for Korea due a long range shot from Jim Mackay in the 70th minute. Jimmy Mackay scores in the match v. Korea in 1973. Although these events happened way before my time. I have seen the videos and became amazed at how good you guys played. Despite the loss, Korea did not gave up as we did. Cha Bum-kun made a comeback to the World Cup in Mexico a decade later and I believe had "we" upset Argentina on that day, we may had been in the same group. Speculating if you guys had played against us (and not Maradona) in the opening match, probably you may ended up in a better shape to play against Italy in the final game, and who knows?. Maybe a first ever advancing to the round of 16th?. Had the draw against Bulgaria may being a victory instead. Final thoughts As I do not write very often, someway I wanted to compensate my participation by sharing with you these stories which I hope you had found interesting (provided you had read them). My heart also goes with you as I share the pain and anger which you guys felt due recent results from KNT. But since I believe there is always light at the end of the tunnel, eventually you will find your way to be on the right track, with or without the dutchman. Well folks, that's what I have to say, for today. Fighting!
Interestingly enough, UAE appoints former JNT manager Alberto Zaccheroni on a 16 month (1 year 4 months) deal, in preparations for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup as well as the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifications. Yet, we're stuck with an inexperienced Shin Tae-yong.
Champions league news: Spartak Moscow hammers Sevilla 5-1 at home. Senol Gunes' Besiktas beat Monaco away 2-1. They have won all their matches so far and are first place in their group with 9 points. APOEL tied Dortmund 1-1 LOL. Both these teams have 1 points each with Real and Tottenham having 7 points.
Still bitter about KFA f*ckheads ignoring Gunes. Out of the 12 teams that made it to AFC qualifier round 3, KFA is the worst federation (yes i rate Syrian FA higher)
I'm not going to lie, out of all the other teams: Monaco, Red Bull, and Porto, I thought they were the weakest team. Or at least challenge Porto for 3rd place but they've beaten all of them.
Coventry City fan runs onto pitch and gives the players a bollocking. Someone here should do the same to KNT players at the next friendly match.
Some Champions League news: Atletico Madrid tied Qarabag away 0-0. They are third and 3 points behind Roma. Chelsea tied Roma at home 3-3. Chelsea was ahead by 2-0, but Roma scored 3 goals but Chelsea scored another. They are still 1st place.
I recall a few seasons ago Koeman was having a bad run of games with Southampton and a certain match occured that resulted in a 4-0 win. I wonder if this will happen again this weekend?
Damn Valencia is playing pretty well. 2nd place right now and beat Sevilla 4-0. I wonder if we can see LKI play for Valencia in the very near future.